News

DSHS Theatre Booster Club is currently raising funds for an August trip to Scotland by DSHS theater students. 

“Dripping Springs High School Theatre has been invited to perform on the American High School Stage at this summer’s Fringe in Edinburgh, Scotland.  We’re very excited about it, but we’re needing to raise funds for the trip,” parent volunteer Trish Pritchett said.

Booster fund raising efforts range from a car wash to soliciting corporate sponsors for the trip.

“We’re having a car wash on Wednesday, June 28, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., on the east side of Dripping High School by the band practice lot and loading dock. We’re asking 10 dollars per car, and additional donations are appreciated,” Pritchett said.

The Hays County Sheriff’s Office reports that the missing 13 year-old male juvenile, Dominic Gearing, has been located in the High Pointe subdivision. The report stated said, “He is fine and uninjured and has been reunited with his family.”

The boy was reported missing on Sunday, June 18, and was reported last seen Sunday afternoon around 2 p.m. at the Highpointe greenbelt. 

The Hays County Sheriff’s Department set up a command center at the Highpointe Recreation Center and coordinated a search using K-9 units, helicopters, and volunteers.

Dominic Gearing is the son of Dr. Bruce Gearing and Aldine Gearing. Dr. Gearing is the Superintendent for the Dripping Springs Independent School District.

A few years back, a group of Dripping Springs veterans heard about a little sixth grade girl that was doing all of her homework with a typewriter because her mom couldn’t afford a computer. 

“Well, we thought we should do something about it, so we did,” Ernest Banasau said.  “We got together and bought the little girl a computer and printer.”

The veterans were all from the local chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Chapter 1919.

This year, the veterans were reminded of their former kindness when the little girl, Mariah Chappell, now a graduating Dripping Springs senior, was accepted into Harvard.

“We were very happy for her,” Banasau said.

“Mom told me to put in a bunch of applications into the Ivy League, and so I did,” Chappell said.  “Harvard not only accepted me, but also offered me a full scholarship. Mom and I were very excited.”

The Dripping Springs Community Mission Partnership (DSCMP) and the Dripping Springs  (DSUMC) United Methodist Church are calling out for volunteers to implement some needed repairs for the home of Pastor Jesus Antonio Samano, a young Mexican pastor connected with DSUMC, on June 24 and 25.

The work planned includes: applying sealant to the roof to stop leaks, install flashing and caulks around windows, addition of window mounted 2 air conditioning units, the digging of a small trench to bury electrical wiring, the building of a covered porch, and exterior painting of the home.

“All skill levels are needed. We also need a volunteer to buy and bring drinks and lunch for our volunteers on both days,” Robin Robinson of DSCMP said.

The work will take place at 174 Darter Lane in Dripping, and work will commence at 8:30 a.m.

Cypress Creek Cafe was housed in one of the most iconic buildings on the Wimberley Square. The business has long been a center of the community. On the morning of May 30, the building caught fire and burned to the ground.

Over the years, Cypress Creek Café has held many fundraisers for organizations both local and national.

The yearly Boot Campaign fundraiser helps members of the armed forces. In October, the annual Breast Cancer Awareness fundraiser is held. When local organizations needed help, they often turned to Cypress Creek Cafe. Now it is time for the community to help give back to a business that has given for so long.

On Saturday, June 17, The Waters Point in Wimberley, formerly known as Rio Bonito, will open it’s gates for The Cypress Creek Café “From the Ashes” Benefit Concert.

The office of Congressman Roger Williams, who represents Dripping Springs, sent out the following statement about the shooting in Virginia:

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Roger Williams’ office (R – Austin), released the following information Wednesday after shots were fired at the Republican congressional baseball team practice in Alexandria, Virginia.

At approximately 7am ET this morning, an armed gunman arrived at baseball practice and opened fire. Congressman Williams was not shot, however a member of his staff was shot and is receiving medical attention. The gunman has been detained and at this time we do not have any further information but will continue to release it as it comes to surface.

The Republican baseball team holds practice every morning at 6:30am ET at Eugene Simpson Stadium Park in Alexandria, Virginia. Rep. Williams has been the coach of the team since he joined Congress in 2013

Three County offices will be closed for training on Tuesday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The 3 offices are: The Hays County Treasurer’s Office at the Government Center, the main County Clerk’s Office at the Government Center (all substations will be open), and the Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 Office in Kyle. 

Molly McFee, from Dripping Springs Elementary (DSE), and Jamie Biel, from Dripping Springs High School (DSHS), were named District Teachers of the Year at the May 22 Dripping Springs Independent School District (DSISD) Board of Trustees meeting.

McFee and Biel will now represent DSISD in the 2017-2018 Texas Teacher of the Year Program.

Molly McFee is completing her fourth year as an art teacher at DSE.  Prior to that she worked 5 years as an elementary school art teacher at the Klein ISD, and earned a bachelor’s degree in art from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Jamie Biel is completing her third year teaching advanced placement (AP) environmental science at DSHS. Previously she spent 7 years teaching science courses at Lake Travis High School.  Biel graduated from Texas State University with a bachelor’s degree in biology-botany and a minor in chemistry.

New students (for all grade levels) may register on Thursday, June 8, from 8 am to 5 pm at all campuses.  Students who will be attending Sycamore Springs Elementary School and Sycamore Springs Middle School will register at Rooster Springs Elementary, as the Sycamore Campus will not be completed on June 8.

Dripping Springs commemorated Memorial Day with a series of events.

On Saturday, May 27, the Vince F. Taylor American Legion Post 290 and the Dripping Springs VFW invited members of the community to Phillip’s Cemetery to place small American Flags on the graves of departed service members. In addition to veterans and civilian volunteers, a contingent from the North Hays County Fire/Rescue also participated in the event.

On Memorial Day morning, the Saint Martin de Porres Knights of Columbus (Council 11695) hosted its ninth Memorial Day Breakfast in the Parish Hall. The breakfast honored veterans and area first responders. This year’s guest speaker was Major General John F. Nichols, who is currently serving as Texas Adjutant General of Texas. The National Anthem was song by Caroline Manning, and Deacon Edward Rositas said the opening prayer.