More than a quarter-million students have applied to the state’s voucher program, with a lottery determining who gets a spot. Initial funding for the program is $1 billion, and it is projected to support 100,000 students in its first year.

The program offers taxpayer money to help pay for private and homeschool education. The amount of each voucher awarded in the initial round varied, from $2,000 each for the 11,000 children applying for homeschool funding to an average of $15,585 for parents who documented their children’s special educational needs.

Smokable hemp ban temporarily blocked

A ban on the sale of natural smokeable hemp products has been blocked, possibly until the end of April, by a Travis County district judge. A court hearing is set for this week. 

The Texas Tribune reported that lawyers for the hemp industry argue that state agencies overstepped their constitutional authority by imposing new testing requirements that created a 0.3% total THC threshold. The industry says that effectively eliminated smokeable products by essentially rewriting the statutory definitions of hemp created by legislators in 2019. 

While that 2019 law also limited THC levels to 0.3%, manufacturers got around it by cultivating hemp plants with another type of THC called THCA, which produces a high when ignited. The newly written limits on any type of THC mirror those that will be imposed by the federal government in November. 

Appeals court rules for Ten Commandments in classrooms

A federal appeals court last week ordered public school districts to place copies of the Ten Commandments in classrooms, the Austin America-Statesman reported. Parents and a group of faith leaders in nine school districts sued over a 2025 law that requires public schools to post donated posters of the Ten Commandment in classrooms.

By a split vote, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decided the law does not violate the U.S. Constitution, overturning a San Antonio federal judge’s ruling last year. The case could be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

“Students are neither catechized on the Commandments nor taught to adopt them,” the judges wrote. “Nor are teachers commanded to proselytize students who ask about the displays or contradict students who disagree with them.”

Six judges on the appeals court dissented, with Judge Leslie H. Southwick writing that “S.B. 10 is facially unconstitutional under the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses.” 

STAAR ends after this spring

After about 15 years, this spring marks one of the final times Texas students will take the STAAR, according to the Chronicle. Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, that end-of-year assessment will be replaced by three shorter tests. 

Backers of the change say it will reduce classroom time spent preparing for the test and be a more accurate measure of students’ progress. Critics say the changes will still place too much emphasis and classroom time preparing for the tests.

“The only evidence is that it will create more testing,” said state Rep. Gina Hinojosa, Gov. Greg Abbott's Democratic challenger for governor. “We're going from 15 tests to 51 tests by the time a kid's done with eighth grade. It's outrageous.”

The new Student Success Tool will provide three tests through the school year, instead of a single high-stakes test at the end of the year. Results will be available within 48 hours of each test, unlike STAAR results, which are usually released in mid-June, months after students take the test.

Workplace fatalities dipped slightly in 2024

The Texas Department of Insurance has reported that 557 workplace fatalities were reported in 2024, the latest year for which statistics are available. That is down slightly from the 564 workplace fatalities reported in 2023. More than 90% of the fatalities occurred in the private sector.

The most fatalities were reported in the trade, transportation and utilities sector at 175; construction fatalities, with 128, followed. The most common occupation involving fatalities was motor vehicle operators 

A total of 75 fatalities were due to violent acts in 2024. 

Men accounted for 92% of the 557 total incidents in 2024.

Texas economy hits record $2.9 trillion

The Texas economy expanded to $2.9 trillion in 2025, growing faster than the nation as a whole at a 2.5% rate, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. The state maintained its ranks as the world’s eighth-largest economy, based on preliminary estimates from the International Monetary Fund.

“The Texas economy expanded to a record high of $2.9 trillion thanks to the productivity of our skilled workforce and the entrepreneurs and businesses investing here with confidence,” said Greg Abbott.

The state’s economy has grown by 46% over the past 11 years.

Wildfire risks in Panhandle, West Texas rise

Dry windy conditions across West Texas and the Panhandle are rising, the Statesman reported, leading to increased risk of wildfires. The National Weather Service has issued red flag warnings from Canada to Mexico, including those areas in Texas.

“A red flag warning means a combination of warm temperatures, very low humidity, dry vegetation, and strong winds. These conditions can quickly spark and spread wildfires, and in this environment, even a small fire can grow rapidly, so extra caution is critical,” Mary Wasson, meteorologist with the San Antonio Express-News reported.

The Texas A&M Forest Service reports that 9 out of 10 wildfires in Texas are human-caused and therefore preventable. Burn bans are now in effect in 102 Texas counties, and wildfire preparedness is at Level 2, with Level 5 being the highest risk.

Gary Borders is a veteran award-winning Texas journalist. He published a number of community newspapers in Texas during a 30-year span, including in Longview, Fort Stockton, Nacogdoches, Lufkin and Cedar Park. Email: gborders@texaspress.com.

Members of the Dripping Springs High School varsity winter guard pose following their performance at the Texas Color Guard Circuit (TCGC) State Championships held April 18, 2026, at Strahan Arena in San Marcos, where the team earned a fifth-place finish in Scholastic National A competition. The DSHS Tiger Band program’s winter guard capped the season with the top-five placement among statewide competitors. Senior captain McKenzie Culberson was also recognized individually as a 2026 TCGC Scholarship recipient. Photos courtesy of DSISD

The Pound House Farmstead Museum will host its annual Pioneer Day event on Saturday, May 16, offering a full day of hands-on activities, historical demonstrations and live entertainment celebrating early Texas Hill Country life.

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Pound House Farmstead, 419B Founders Park Road, and will commemorate 171 years of the historic site along with the nation’s 250th anniversary.

Jeanne Polk, president of the Pound House Farmstead Board of Trustees, said the return of the event has been highly anticipated by past attendees.

“I cannot be happier to host the Pioneer Day event once again at the Pound House Farmstead,” Polk said. “Those who have attended in the past have frequently asked me when can I add back a Pound House Pioneer Day to the spring calendar. Come join the PHF Board members, volunteers, and the Dripping Springs community.”

Visitors will be able to explore the historic property, which includes a restored farmhouse, smokehouse, arbor, windmill, rock walls and garden areas. The site offers a living depiction of 19th-century rural life, including the well-known “Heritage Oak,” estimated to be more than 500 years old, and antique roses dating back to 1853.

The event will feature a wide range of activities for all ages. A dedicated children’s area will include crafts and experiences such as candle dipping, corn husk dolls, musical instrument demonstrations, leather stitching, archaeology activities, corn shelling and grinding, and butter churning. Traditional games like dominoes, checkers, chess, stilts, hoop and stick, gunny sack races and corn cob toss will also be available.

Demonstrations throughout the day will include Dutch oven cooking, soap making, blacksmithing, quilting, weaving and spinning, as well as a Texas Parks and Wildlife Buffalo Soldier program and Native American hoop dancing. A one-room schoolhouse exhibit will also be open, along with historic home tours.

Additional attractions include hayrides, live music performances by Alex Dormont, Ryker Pantano and Randall McKinney, food vendors, nonprofit booths and a variety of shopping opportunities.

Fundraising efforts tied to the event will include a vintage rummage sale, silent auction, sweet shop, provisions store, quilt sale and handmade jewelry.

Brenda DeWitt, the museum’s farmstead manager, encouraged residents and visitors to attend.

“Join us in celebrating 171 years of Pound House Farmstead history and America’s 250th year anniversary,” DeWitt said.

Advanced discount tickets are available at phfmuseum.org. For more information, call 512-858-2030.

The Pound House Farmstead is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been a Texas State Historical Landmark since 1965. It has operated as a museum since opening to the public in 2003 and continues to serve as a center for historical education and community gatherings.

If you instinctively clap four times after hearing “The stars at night are big and bright,” the mission behind DarkSky Texas may resonate. But across Texas and the Hill Country, those stars are becoming harder to see.

As communities across Central Texas continue to grow, preserving the region’s dark, star-filled skies is becoming an increasing challenge. In Dripping Springs, that effort has been in place for decades, shaping both policy and community culture.

International Dark Sky Week, traditionally observed in April, highlights those efforts and encourages residents to take simple steps to reduce unnecessary light.

Dripping Springs was the first community in Texas to receive designation as an International Dark Sky Community, helping establish a model that other Hill Country cities have since followed. At the time, there were only a handful of such communities worldwide.

Dawn Davies, Night Sky Program Manager for the Hill Country Alliance, said Dripping Springs helped bring early attention to night sky preservation in Texas.

“They were the first Dark Sky community in the state of Texas to get their designation,” Davies said. “They really got the ball rolling and brought that interest not only to the community, but also from a perspective of being at the gateway to the Hill Country.”

Davies said the city’s approach has balanced preservation with growth, particularly along the busy U.S. 290 corridor.

“I often cite what they have done with their lighting,” she said. “Driving down 290 at night is one of the most pleasant things to do, as opposed to driving through a major metropolitan area. You can embrace the dark landscape, but you can also still see very decently and consciously lit businesses without it being bright and glaring.”

That balance has been maintained through a long-standing lighting ordinance and ongoing coordination with developers, landowners and business owners.

“They really won the whole gamut from the application process to carrying it on and maintaining an amazing ordinance,” Davies said.

Over time, she said, those standards have become part of daily life in the community.

“A lot of the work they don’t have to do as much anymore with regards to enforcing or helping educate people, because it’s become such a normal part of living in Dripping Springs,” Davies said. “If someone new comes in with bright lights, the surrounding neighbors will let them know that this isn’t how we operate here.”

That level of community buy-in, she said, has been key to long-term success.

“The community has embraced the change and the improvement it’s provided, and they understand the value,” Davies said.

Hays County has started a practice of incorporating DarkSky lighting requirements, largely following the city of Dripping Springs' version, into development agreements throughout the county. While they don’t have the authority to require properties to comply with such a rule in the vein of a city ordinance, the practice has often gotten new commercial development in the unincorporated areas of the county to start with dark sky lighting practices. 

The broader impact of those efforts is now becoming measurable.

Davies said recent data from Hill Country communities shows that sustained dark sky practices can lead to real improvements in sky quality over time.

“We’ve heard from partners in Blanco and Dripping Springs that, over years of monitoring, they’ve actually seen the sky improve,” she said. “That’s huge. It shows what can be done when communities partner with residents and embrace these efforts.”

Dark sky monitoring, which involves collecting regular measurements of sky brightness, is a requirement for maintaining designation and allows communities to track long-term trends.

The findings come as the Hill Country continues to experience rapid growth, increasing pressure on nighttime conditions.

DarkSky Texas, the state chapter of DarkSky International, works to address that challenge through education and advocacy.

Board member Soll Sussman said the issue goes beyond stargazing.

“We’re trying to bring awareness about responsible outdoor lighting to as many people in Texas as we can,” Sussman said. “We are losing our view of the night sky at a significant rate, but just as importantly, light pollution affects wildlife, plants and human health.”

Some estimates suggest visibility of the night sky is declining by as much as 10% per year in some areas, driven largely by increasing artificial light at night.

Artificial light can disrupt natural cycles for birds and other wildlife, interfere with plant growth and impact human sleep patterns. While preserving the stars is a visible benefit, Sussman said the broader goal is improving overall environmental and community well-being.

The issue is especially pronounced in fast-growing areas like Dripping Springs, where new development continues to expand.

“People move out here for the rural beauty and the night skies,” Sussman said. “But they often bring habits from the city, like leaving bright lights on all night, and that adds up.”

DarkSky Texas emphasizes practical steps residents can take to reduce excess lighting without sacrificing safety, including directing light downward, limiting brightness, using timers or motion sensors and choosing warmer-colored bulbs.

For residents, that can be as simple as replacing bright white bulbs, adding shields to fixtures or turning off unnecessary lights overnight.

“Lighting doesn’t automatically make a place safer,” Sussman said. “There’s little consistent evidence that brighter lighting alone reduces crime, but there is clear evidence that poorly used light creates problems.”

As Dripping Springs continues to grow, Davies said its long-standing approach shows that development and preservation can coexist.

“They’ve shown that you can grow and still protect the night sky,” she said.

As development continues across the Hill Country, that balance between growth, tourism and conservation will shape whether future generations still have a chance to enjoy those stars at night that are big and bright deep in the heart of Texas.

The PIT Count is a nationwide effort mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that collects data for a one-day snapshot of homelessness. This census plays an important role in the planning of future programs and the allocation of resources for individuals experiencing homelessness in Hays County.  

For this year’s count, 70 volunteers traveled throughout the county on three-hour shifts on January 22. These volunteers included members of the Texas Homeless Network (THN), the Hays County Health Department and local agencies as well as people from throughout Hays County. 

Data from the count is divided into two categories, based on where the volunteers gathered data from the people who are counted. Unsheltered locations are areas such as streets, outdoor encampments, or other environments “not intended for human habitation.” Sheltered locations are places “intended for temporary habitation,” such as emergency shelters, transitional housing programs, or other facilities that provide short-term housing support. 

Heintz said that in 2026, the survey counted 57 sheltered and 94 unsheltered people. In 2025, there were 132 sheltered and 55 unsheltered people.

The 2025 survey was conducted on a cold weather night, which is reflected in the higher numbers of sheltered people last year, Heintz said. “We kind of flipped numbers. In 2025 we had less unsheltered and more sheltered.”

In the 2026 count, adults between the ages of 25-64 made up the majority of the Hays County homeless population with most of these individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness, according to Heintz. Adults ages 25-34 were the largest group in this category, with 25 unsheltered and 8 sheltered. Adults ages 35-44 were 20 unsheltered and 7 sheltered. Ages 45-54 were 17 unsheltered and 10 sheltered, ages 55-64, 24 unsheltered and 2 sheltered and 65-older, 3 unsheltered and 2 sheltered.

The under-18 category was the only category in which the percentage of homeless in the survey were mostly sheltered, with 24 of the total of 26 people categorized as sheltered. Adults 18-25 were 3 unsheltered and 4 sheltered.

Men represented the majority of the known homeless population (79%), particularly among those that are unsheltered (50 men to 16 women), though over half of the responses lack gender data, according to the presentation. 

“Please be reminded that this is self declaration,” Heintz said. “How they answer the question is the way the answer goes in. They don't show any verification of anything. There's nothing that shows documentation, we rely on them to answer to the best of their knowledge.”

Most of the respondents were Hispanic (27 unsheltered and 2 sheltered) and White (24 unsheltered and 3 sheltered).

Volunteers had more difficulty finding homeless people for this year’s count. The presence of ICE agents in Hays County may have had an impact, Heintz said. “We felt like people were laying low for whatever reason. So it was harder to find people. … We feel like they were a little reluctant to speak just because of what was going on in the area.”

Of the 151 homeless individuals in the count, 144 were in San Marcos, 6 were in Kyle and 1 was in Buda, with no people documented as experiencing homelessness in Wimberley.

Judge Ruben Becerra said that the concentration of people along the I-35 corridor is easier to survey than the remote parts of the county. 

“The difficulty in the rural part of the western county is it’s harder to get into all the nooks and crannies, so it would be harder to count,” he said.

The PIT count indicated a decline in the data for total homelessness from 2025, but an increase in unsheltered individuals, which suggests a “growing system strain and barriers to accessing shelter, indicating a shift toward more acute and visible forms of homelessness,” according to Heintz.

Following the presentation of the PIT Count, Lisa Young, executive director of the Hays County Food Bank, presented the findings of the 2025 McKinney-Vento Report, which provides data submitted by homeless students under the age of 21.

The information in this report is collected at the beginning of the school year. 

“You may recall a question that will ask, ‘Are you living in a home that you own or that you are the leaseholder of? Are you living with a family? Are you living in a shelter? What they're gathering there is data for the McKinney Vento report,” Young said. 

“Every school district is federally mandated to do this, and all the ones in the county have shared their data with us,” she said.

McKinney-Vento data defines homelessness as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence.” This category includes children living in shelters, motels, hotels, trailer parks, camping grounds and places “not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings.”

The MV data for Hays County indicated more homelessness in Wimberley and Dripping Springs than the PIT Count, reporting 35 students in Dripping Springs, 11 in Wimberley and 105 in SMCISD experiencing homelessness.

“San Marcos numbers for children are often higher because the Women's Center is here,” according to Young.

At the conclusion of their presentation, Heintz and Young asked the court to help them find grants and funding for their organizations.

“I think the county needs to look and analyze how much it spends per capita on human services compared to other counties in Texas, and to carve this out so that we have something that's predictable and sustainable,” Young said. ”We would like to have a more consistent plan to apply for these federal funds that we would need your assistance to apply for.”

Commissioner Michelle Cohen, Pct. 2, agreed that the court should work to support these groups. “I think it's an area where I think us as a county need to be more accountable and find avenues of funding.” 

“I do think that our community needs to step up for one another,” said Commissioner Morgan Hammer, Pct. 3.  “I appreciate what y'all have done and what you guys continue to do. Thank you so much.”

The event is scheduled from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Center for Learning & Leadership Board Room, 300 Sportsplex Drive in Dripping Springs.

District officials said the evening will highlight the history and legacy of DSISD through a mix of speakers, student involvement and historical exhibits. Guest speakers are expected to include district graduates and long-time staff members, offering reflections on the evolution of local education.

Student performances and a historical presentation led by the district’s Student Lighthouse Team are also planned. Attendees will have the opportunity to view student art displays, browse historic memorabilia and senior class photos, and take part in family-friendly activities including food and face painting.

The celebration will conclude with a time capsule ceremony on the south side of the building.

The event is open to the public.

The city of Dripping Springs approved an interlocal road and easement agreement for park access and a development regulations agreement with Dripping Springs Independent School District, with the latter executed following both parties’ approval of the related road and easement agreement for Rathgeber Natural Resource Park. The agreement represents a key step in opening the roughly 300-acre park, which was donated to the city in 2020.

The council approved both the Interlocal Development Agreement and the easement agreement with the school district three to two.

The proposed agreement centers on granting the city a right-of-way easement through school district property. This would allow construction of a roadway connecting existing infrastructure near Wildwood Elementary School to the park. The project is divided into two phases: Phase One, already built by the district as a secondary access road, and Phase Two, which the city would design, fund and construct to extend access to the park.

Under the terms, the district would provide the easement at no cost while retaining the ability to set conditions, including safety restrictions such as prohibiting roadside parking. The city would be responsible for building and maintaining the roadway, as well as coordinating closely with the district during design to address topographical challenges and future campus needs.

Council discussion highlighted some uncertainty about the exact road alignment and easement boundaries, which will be finalized after further engineering and surveys. Officials emphasized that the agreement allows flexibility while ensuring cooperation between both parties.

The agreement is tied to a separate development-related interlocal agreement, with both requiring approval from the school district. If approved, city staff said the project would mark a significant milestone toward making Rathgeber Natural Resources Park accessible to the public.

During the work session, the council reviewed an updated Fiscal Year 2026 water and wastewater rate study. According to staff, the update builds on a March 3 presentation and focuses on revisions to the rate model developed with HDR.

The updated scenarios assume a 30-day utility fund balance, or about 8.3% of annual expenditures, with the goal of maintaining that level without dropping below it. Staff also examined how general fund contributions affect rates. The city currently contributes about 20% of sales tax revenue, but scenarios were modeled at 25% and 30%, with higher contributions reducing the need for larger rate increases.

Three scenarios were presented. According to staff, Scenario One includes the highest general fund contribution and lowest base fee, while Scenario Three maintains current contributions and results in higher base fees. All scenarios are structured to cover operating costs and debt obligations.

Council discussed concerns about rate impacts and requested additional options with more gradual increases.

The festival honors the settlement of the Dripping Springs area in 1850 by the Moss, Wallace, and Pound families. It is hosted by the City of Dripping Springs and the Founders Day Committee. Proceeds benefit area nonprofits, churches, school and park programs, youth groups, and other charities.

The weekend opens Friday, April 24, with the Grand Parade at 6:30 p.m., followed by live music from 7:15 p.m. to 11 p.m. The Mighty Thomas Carnival opens at 4 p.m. and runs until 11:30 p.m., with a pause during the parade. 

On Saturday, vendor booths open at 10 a.m., with music and carnival rides running through 11 p.m. 

Sunday's schedule includes a community church service at 10 a.m., vendor booths from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and live music from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday is wristband day at the carnival, with all-day unlimited rides available for a single purchase. The carnival runs until 7 p.m.

Free parking is available at Dripping Springs High School all weekend, with a shuttle running Saturday and Sunday. Handicap parking is available near the carnival in the DSISD Administration Building parking lot.

For more details, including volunteer opportunities, visit www.foundersdayfestival.com or visit the event’s Facebook page. 

More than a hundred people crowded the trailhead to the Karst Canyon Preserve last week for its long-awaited official passage from private land into protected public land.
Throughout the dedication ceremony that followed, one phrase resonated among the heartfelt speeches, the ribbon cutting, photo ops and applause. 
“This is your land now.”
A heartbeat from Jacob’s Well and part of the greater Jacobs Well Conservation Area, the 175-acre parcel safeguards a unique and critical karst formation of caves and conduits that percolate water to store in the Middle Trinity aquifer below. 
Karst landscapes are one of the most threatened types of habitats in the world. What makes the Karst Canyon so important is its ability to recharge the aquifer at a high rate of 30 percent, which becomes extremely significant for a county experiencing an extreme drought and rapid increases in population and development.
“With this conservation, we are able to protect the sacred springs of Jacob’s well. We’re able to protect the recharge into the aquifer that not only feeds Jacob’s well, but supports the lives of so many people in this area,” said Karl Flocke, Hays County Director of Parks and Natural Resources. 
“It also protects and conserves the headwaters of Cypress Creek and the dry Cypress Creek watershed and all the water flowing downstream into Wimberley and San Marcos, all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico,” he said.
The path to the morning’s ceremony was a long one. Executive Director of the Watershed Association David Baker told the crowd that, “this area was slated to be a mobile home park and a condo development planned for thousands of lots” directly above Jacob’s Well. In 1996, Baker joined forces with local landowners to form the Wimberley Valley Watershed Association which later became the Watershed Association. He praised the association’s board for their wisdom and generosity on behalf of the community.
He recognized former Hays County General Counsel Mark Kennedy who helped guide the Watershed Association’s purchase of the Jacob’s Well Natural Area in 2005 and 2006 with the Save Our Springs Alliance. With the purchase of other parcels, Jacob’s Well Natural Area became a Hays County Park in 2010.
In 2013, the Watershed Association began negotiating with families to purchase additional land for the preserve. In 2019, another local family helped guide a critical, program-related investment loan through the Harry L. Willet Foundation that made the initial acquisition possible.

Baker publicly acknowledged Ryan Willett, as well as Will Curtis and his mother, Louise Curtis, who “were the family that loaned us the money to buy this land.”
In 2020, Hays County voters said yes to Proposition A to approve $75M worth of projects to create open spaces, parks and trails, of which the purchase of the land for the preserve was one. In 2025, Hays County finalized the purchase from the Watershed Association through its voter-approved Parks and Open Space Bond Program and, with The Nature Conservancy, secured a permanent conservation easement to protect the land in perpetuity.
Baker acknowledged former Hays County Commissioners Will Conley and Lon Shell. “This wouldn’t have happened without collaboration and partnership with the county, The Nature Conservancy and the many experts that charted the land.
Baker praised Deputy County Administrator Tucker Furlow, a former Assistant District Attorney, for his work with the Nature Conservancy to secure the easements.
“This was a collective effort that took thousands of hours. I want to highlight Commissioners Ingalsbe and Hammer and the rest of our court for what they’ve done to make this day possible,” said Furlow in his remarks to the crowd. “Keep your eyes open for the future.” 
Tucker praised the parks department staff as did Baker who said, “I want to thank our staff, Paul Stuffel and Pat Egan who cleared this area by hand. And my friend Johnny Woods, who was so instrumental in creating the back trail.” 
When asked about their effort to construct the trail into the preserve, Egan and Stuffel said, “This is our backyard.”
As Baker ended his remarks, he said. “This is now public land. It’s your land. As residents here, it’s up to us to steward not only this place, but the places where we live. 
And so hopefully this can be a catalyst for a larger conservation movement that can restore the land and manage it to make sure that the land, the water we’re extracting, is not more than what is sustainable, to keep springs, like Jacob’s Well, flowing.”
To do that, he said, “will take 100 times the effort.”
As Baker concluded, he was met with sustained applause from the crowd. Hays County Commissioner Morgan Hammer reinforced Baker’s even-larger vision by adding her voice, “it’s all hands on deck now.”
 

The group has selected Hill Country Rally for Kids, which raises money for children's charities in the Texas Hill Country, as its featured Charity of the Year. The Hays County nonprofit holds a variety of community events to benefit kids, including a car and bike show, a BBQ cook-off, a sporting clay shoot, and a golf tournament. Over roughly 20 years, the organization says it has directed more than $1.5 million to nonprofits serving children, including Foster Village, Ancora Ministries, and the Burke Center itself.

The Burke Center for Youth is a Driftwood-based nonprofit founded in 1973 as a residential treatment center for boys aged 10 to 17 in the foster care system. It has since expanded to include a child placement and adoption agency with four locations across Texas and a transition home for young men who have aged out of foster care. The organization recently broke ground on a second transition home, made possible by a grant from the Selfless Love Foundation, with completion expected later this year.

Tickets to the luncheon are available on the Burke Center for Youth website at https://burkecenterforyouth.org. 
 

High school students from across Texas and New Mexico brought industrial-sized robots of their own design to Dripping Springs High School on April 3-4 for the FIRST Robotics Competition Dripping Springs district event.

The Spring Konstant, Team 6357 from Dripping Springs High School, received the Autonomous Award sponsored by Google.org. The award recognizes the team that demonstrates the most consistent and reliable robot performance during the autonomous phase of match play, when robots must sense their surroundings, position themselves, and execute tasks without driver input. Judges cited the team's robot for its speed, accuracy, and advanced autonomous system, as well as the team's overall cohesion.

Recoil, Team 9577 from Innovation Treehouse, received the Engineering Inspiration Award sponsored by SpaceX. The award recognizes outstanding efforts to promote engineering within a team's school, organization, and broader community. Judges noted that despite the team's small size, it has established a distinct presence in its area and is actively working to expand STEM education and build lasting community connections.

The event was sponsored by Dripping Springs ISD and Tokyo Electron. The FIRST Robotics Competition gives student teams a matter of weeks to design, build, and program robots capable of competing in a structured, alliance-based game. The machines can weigh up to 120 pounds and are built for fast-paced head-to-head match play, with volunteers from the STEM industry serving as mentors throughout the build season and at competition events.

High school students from across Texas and New Mexico brought industrial-sized robots of their own design to Dripping Springs High School on April 3-4 for the FIRST Robotics Competition Dripping Springs district event.

The Spring Konstant, Team 6357 from Dripping Springs High School, received the Autonomous Award sponsored by Google.org. The award recognizes the team that demonstrates the most consistent and reliable robot performance during the autonomous phase of match play, when robots must sense their surroundings, position themselves, and execute tasks without driver input. Judges cited the team's robot for its speed, accuracy, and advanced autonomous system, as well as the team's overall cohesion.

Recoil, Team 9577 from Innovation Treehouse, received the Engineering Inspiration Award sponsored by SpaceX. The award recognizes outstanding efforts to promote engineering within a team's school, organization, and broader community. Judges noted that despite the team's small size, it has established a distinct presence in its area and is actively working to expand STEM education and build lasting community connections.

The event was sponsored by Dripping Springs ISD and Tokyo Electron. The FIRST Robotics Competition gives student teams a matter of weeks to design, build, and program robots capable of competing in a structured, alliance-based game. The machines can weigh up to 120 pounds and are built for fast-paced head-to-head match play, with volunteers from the STEM industry serving as mentors throughout the build season and at competition events.

Four local students and their professional chef mentors will face off in a cooking challenge this Saturday at Hope Full Farm in Dripping Springs. The inaugural Farm to Fork Junior Chef Challenge runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 11 at the farm.

Emmy-nominated CBS Austin anchor Trevor Scott will serve as emcee. H-E-B is the presenting sponsor. Tickets to the event are $75 and are available at https://www.hopefullfarm.org/tickets. Hope Full Farm is a nonprofit, and this family-friendly event benefits its mission to fight childhood hunger through regenerative agriculture.

The four junior chefs - ranging in age from 13 to 17 - will each create an original dish using organic produce harvested directly from Hope Full Farm. They will be working alongside some of Central Texas's most recognized culinary names. All four will receive scholarship awards.

The pairings are Rider Scardino, 14, with Chef Michael Fojtasek of Olamaie; Aubrey Pevehouse, 13, with Chef Edgar Rico of Nixta Taqueria; Penelope Orsak, 16, with Chef Fiore Tedesco of L'Oca d'Oro; and Lauren Smets, 17, with Chef Sarah McIntosh of Épicerie.

Rider, Aubrey and Penelope are all students in Dripping Springs.

Rider, a student at Sycamore Springs Middle School, said he has been cooking since he was about three years old. It started one Thanksgiving when his father was cooking, and let Rider start experimenting alongside him. His resulting dessert was so tasty it surprised everyone.

The hobby has grown considerably since then. Every year on his birthday, Rider cooks a five-course tasting menu for his friends. Past menus have included beef wellington, Chilean sea bass, scallops in a beurre blanc sauce, and short rib ravioli made with homemade spinach pasta. 

“I like experimenting with dishes I see online that look challenging,” Rider said.

Rider said he gets the most enjoyment out of cooking main dishes, but he also makes a lot of desserts. Some recent favorites included macarons and a homemade ice cream infused with tea and lavender. He’s excited to get more experience cooking for large groups.

“I don’t have much experience cooking for more than about 15 people at a time, so that will be fun,” Rider said.

He has been paired with Chef Michael Fojtasek of Olamaie, one of Austin's most acclaimed restaurants. The two have been mapping out their approach to Saturday's competition. They plan to do extensive prep work together the day before the event.

“We met with Chef Michael and started figuring out what ingredients we’re going to use, what we’re going to make, and some of the techniques,” Rider said.

Rider said he expects one of the biggest challenges will be staying composed when challenges come up during the contest. 

"When there are a lot of people waiting for food, you don't want to make them wait longer if something goes wrong," Rider said.

Rider said he hopes the experience leads to a career in the kitchen. 

"I'd like to cook professionally and maybe open a restaurant one day," he said.

Penelope Orsak, 16, came to cooking through 4-H, where she has competed for five years. This year, her team took first place at the district level and is headed to the state competition at Texas A&M.

She was paired with Chef Fiore Tedesco of L'Oca d'Oro, an Italian restaurant in Austin. The two met at his restaurant, where Tedesco gave her a pasta book and encouraged her to start experimenting.

"I had never tried making pasta before, since I usually cook other things, so learning that was really fun," she said. “It was really cool to see what he’s been able to accomplish with cooking. It showed me what might be possible in the future if I continue with it.”

Penelope said she applied for the competition because she liked the idea of working with a chef mentor. 

“It also connects local farmers, the community and chefs, which brings together a lot of things I really enjoy,” Penelope said.

The farm's ingredients also sent her home with new ideas. After learning about the produce she would be working with, she started experimenting with unfamiliar ingredients, including an attempt at radish mousse.

"Radishes aren't unusual, but I had always used them in savory dishes," Penelope said. "I tried making a radish mousse, which was surprisingly delicious. I never would have expected to use radish in something sweet."

Penelope said the experience has already shifted the way she thinks about cooking. 

"It made me appreciate farmers more, realizing they're producing all these amazing foods," she said.

Her main goal for Saturday is to deepen her understanding of the cooking process. 

"When I think about food, I usually focus on the finished dish, but I want to understand more about the steps that get you there," Penelope said. “I want to learn about new ingredients, how to prepare them, how farmers grow them and which flavors work well together.”

Penelope said she’s both nervous and excited about the competition.

“I’m a little nervous about doing something wrong and letting my chef down,” Penelope said. “But he told me he’s there to learn with me and mentor me, which made me feel a lot better.”

Aubrey Pevehouse, 13, started cooking one morning when she was 7, almost on a whim.

“One day my mom came downstairs and I was making scrambled eggs, because I’d seen her do it so many times,” Aubrey said. “It went well, so I kept doing it.”

Today she cooks her own breakfast and lunch daily, hosts breakfast spreads for friends at sleepovers, and has tackled cuisines ranging from Mediterranean to Indian to Vietnamese. For her sister's 16th birthday last year, she made a two-tiered autumn-themed cake from scratch, complete with fondant and buttercream.

“At first, I just cooked what my mom made. I would follow her recipes, sometimes ending in a disaster, but I’d still eat it,” Aubrey said. “It’s fun to go out of my comfort zone and show people what I love to cook.” 

Aubrey is paired with Chef Edgar Rico of Nixta Taqueria, a Mexican-focused Austin restaurant known for its house-made tortillas and chips. When she visited the restaurant, Rico brought out nearly the entire menu and gave her a preview of an unreleased dessert.

“It was a mix of melting and crunchy textures and really unique,” Aubrey said. “I even got to go into the kitchen and see how things were made. It was a completely new experience.”

Aubrey said she sees cooking primarily as a hobby for now, though she hasn't ruled out a more formal role in the industry someday. 

"I love expressing myself through food and making things look neat," she said. "I've thought about a restaurant as a side experience, even if it's not my lifelong career."

The Farm to Fork Junior Chef Challenge event will include tastings, youth music performances, guided farm tours, and hands-on activities for children. All proceeds will benefit the programs of Hope Full Farm, which grows and donates certified organic produce to families across Central Texas. In 2025, the farm donated $61,185 worth of organic produce - the equivalent of 13,045 meals - to an average of 118 families per week.

For more information, or tickets to the event, visit www.hopefullfarm.org.

PEC crews brought a utility bucket truck to the campus to assist with the school’s annual first grade egg drop. More than 100 student-built contraptions were dropped from above as classmates watched to see which designs could keep a raw egg from cracking.

For the activity, students designed and built protective contraptions intended to cushion an egg during the fall from the elevated bucket. The hands-on project combines creativity and basic engineering concepts as students experiment with ways to protect their fragile cargo.

PEC journeyworkers James McCune and Caden Creamer volunteered for the event, operating the bucket truck and helping students test their creations.

The demonstration gave students a close-up look at the type of equipment lineworkers use while adding an extra layer of excitement to a classroom science challenge.

Dripping Springs Elite Real Estate Professionals (DS Elite) has launched a Food and Diaper Drive benefiting Helping Hands of Dripping Springs. The collection effort runs April 6-21 and seeks donations of nonperishable food and baby essentials to support the organization’s food assistance programs.

Members of DS Elite are coordinating donation efforts in neighborhoods across the area. Residents are encouraged to contribute items such as peanut butter, pasta, canned goods, rice and other shelf-stable foods. Diapers, pull-ups and baby wipes are also among the most-needed items, according to organizers.

In addition to community donations, the group plans to contribute $1,000 toward the effort to purchase additional high-need pantry items from the Dripping Springs H-E-B.

“This is one of those initiatives where the entire community can come together and make an immediate impact,” said Kristen Rummel, chair of the DS Elite Charitable Giving Committee. “When neighbors help neighbors, it creates something really powerful.”

The campaign provides flexible ways to give. Community members can donate items, request porch pickups through neighborhood coordination, drop off contributions through DS Elite members, or give financially. For more information or to get involved, visit www.drippingspringselite.com. 

Helping Hands provides food and other basic support to individuals and families in the Dripping Springs community experiencing food insecurity. The organization relies on donations and volunteers to provide these services. For more information, visit https://www.helpinghands-drippingsprings.org. 

The ceremony will include remarks from Superintendent Dr. Holly Morris-Kuentz, Board President Dr. Stefani Reinold, and several DSISD students. Guests will also enjoy music by the Sycamore Springs Middle School band, along with light refreshments. The event will take place near the CSE visitor parking lot, just east of the campus.

Voters approved construction of the district’s second comprehensive high school in the May 2025 bond election, following completion of the campus design, which began with voter approval of the 2023 bond program. Located on Darden Hill Road, the new campus will serve 2,500 students in grades 9-12 and is projected to open for the 2028-29 school year.

In addition to the approximately 506,000-square-foot main building, the campus will include baseball and softball fields, tennis courts, two practice fields, a band practice lot, an agriculture barn, and a sub-varsity competition stadium.

More information on High School #2 can be found at dsisdtx.us/highschool2.

The Dripping Springs Wild Game Dinner (DSWGD) wrapped up its 36th annual event in February, raising approximately $145,000 for local charities. This year’s “Paddles Up” recipient was Sunrise Christian Schoolhouse, a faith-based K-6 school in Dripping Springs that is currently expanding. Longtime DSWGD member Bill DWinne said the response from the crowd was record-breaking.

”We just presented them a check the day before yesterday for a little bit over $43,000 - and that was just from Paddles Up,” DeWinne said. “We’re lucky if we can get $25,000, so it was very rewarding.”

DeWinne said students from the school attended the dinner and delivered a Bible verse reading that visibly moved the crowd.

”It’s hard to get 850 people to be quiet, and it was very impressive,” DeWinne said. “It was emotional and it was spiritual, and it clearly impacted the crowd. I was really proud of those little kids.”

The event, held at Dripping Springs Ranch Park and Event Center, drew an estimated 800 to 850 attendees for an evening that included wild game dinner, live and silent auctions, live music, and a raffle.

”It was actually a great event,” DeWinne said. “Mother Nature really cooperated with favorable weather. We had struggled the last two years with some really chilly weather and did our best to heat that building, but this year was really nice.”

Both the live and silent auctions set new records, DeWinne said, crediting in part a new auctioneer the committee brought in from San Antonio.

”They really got the energy and the excitement going,” DeWinne said.

DeWinne struggled to put the atmosphere of the evening into words, but said that energy is part of what keeps people coming back year after year.

”When that building is full, it’s got a vibe and electricity. You just have to feel it,” DeWinne said.

Doors opened at 5 p.m. to allow guests to browse the silent auction and find their seats, but DeWinne said people were arriving even earlier than that.

”People were showing up at like 4 o’clock. It was crazy,” he said. “It was unbelievable the amount of people.”

Among the evening’s highlights, DeWinne pointed to the national anthem.

”When they did the Star-Spangled Banner and everybody is singing, that’s pretty impressive,” DeWinne said. “That’ll give you chills.”

Planning for the event starts the October prior, and really ramps up during the final week. Over the course of several days, volunteers gather for meat cutting, prep, and sausage making. They also show up on event day to set up tables and chairs and staff the evening.

The event’s 37th edition is already in the works, with Jeremy Peele set to serve as chairman. The dinner is scheduled for February 27, 2027.

DSWGD has raised nearly $1 million for local charities since its founding in 1991, when a group of men from Dripping Springs United Methodist Church first gathered to cook a meal and give back to their neighbors.

”I’ve done it for over 20 years and I still get excited about it,” DeWinne said. “I’m really glad to be a part of it, and I can’t wait for next year.”

Lynn Krug spent six years as a U.S. Army Combat Military Police officer, deployed to Bosnia, and got out of the military two weeks before September 11, 2001. What followed was decades of living with PTSD, cycling through VA appointments, and dealing with what she describes as an inadequate mental health system.

Today, Krug says she finally feels like herself again. Her journey back is part of a film that premiered March 25 at the National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington, Texas, on National Medal of Honor Day.

Healing Heroes: No Mind Left Behind, produced by Solo Vive Studios, follows six veterans and first responders through an immersive treatment experience exploring both established and emerging approaches to PTSD recovery, including plant medicine. Krug is one of those six. The film is expected to begin streaming on major platforms in April.

Krug, a Dripping Springs resident and owner of the Brass Ovaries studio in Austin, attended the film’s premiere in Arlington. Joe and Stacey Hogge, owners of 12 Fox Beer Co., were also in attendance. They are active advocates for veterans, and some of the documentary was filmed at one of their properties.

Krug said the audience of roughly 200 people was visibly moved by the film.

“Some people were crying, and they thanked us afterwards for sharing our stories and our healing,” Krug said. “Everybody was really dressed up and just out there to support the message.”

At the end of the screening, the filmmakers included updates on each of the six veterans - where they are now, what they’re doing, how their lives have changed since the cameras stopped rolling.

”It was really good to see some of the people that were also in the film and people that worked on the film,” Krug said.

The documentary follows Krug and five other veterans - Ryan Henderson, Courtney Allen, Keegan Smith, Megan Watts, and Jason Braadt - through a 10-day treatment program in Tulum, Mexico, designed specifically for veterans.

Dr. Charles “Charlie” Powell, the documentary’s creator and a former U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander and combat veteran himself, described watching the process unfold as the most meaningful work of his career.

Powell said he hid his own PTSD for 18 years before finding a treatment that worked. He also said the U.S. has been too slow to research and offer alternatives to traditional pharmaceuticals.

“Medicines like this have been known for over a decade to help with this, but no one even tried to get a study in the US,” Powell said. “Why are the people that defended this country having to leave it to go get something that finally works? That doesn’t make sense to me.”

He also pushed back on widely cited statistics about veteran suicide, arguing the real numbers are significantly underreported. Only 30 percent of veterans ever register with the VA, he said, meaning the commonly cited figure of 22 veteran suicides per day almost certainly reflects a fraction of the actual toll.

”Take that number and multiply it times three,” Powell said. “That’s a starting point, and it’s still probably on the low side.”

Krug’s path to plant medicine began with the Heroic Hearts Project, which connects veterans with plant medicine retreats - including ayahuasca, a plant-based brew with roots in Indigenous Amazonian traditions. It has drawn growing scientific interest for its potential in treating trauma.

She has now participated in seven plant medicine retreats - including experiences with ayahuasca, psilocybin mushrooms, and ibogaine, a compound derived from an African root that has shown promise in treating both PTSD and addiction. Each, she said, addressed something different.

”Ayahuasca healed me of the traumas that happened to me from other people, from other things, from other situations,” she said. “Ibogaine forced me to look at myself - the trauma I caused myself or the trauma I caused other people. It’s like really intense shadow work that my therapists have been trying to get me to do forever, but I’d been avoiding.”

She is careful to note that plant medicine is not for everyone, and emphasizes the importance of proper medical screening and supervision.

“From a toxicological standpoint there is some danger to it, so you need to make sure that who you’re going to is safe and actually doing the medical prep beforehand.”

Powell echoed that caution.

”The power of these medicines is something that has to be given enough respect,” he said. “There’s a lot of fly-by-night people out there that think they know what they’re doing. You can really mess people up.”

Krug said that one of the most valuable parts of participating in the Healing Heroes project was being vulnerable around a group of people who didn’t know each other and were thrown together in an unfamiliar place. She said she was more vulnerable in those moments than she’s ever been, even with her therapist.

“Knowing that eventually this was going to be very public, it’s just showing that it’s okay not to be okay. Just showing somebody else that it’s okay to be vulnerable,” Krug said. “You don’t have to hold it inside, because that really makes it worse.”

Krug said she also wants the show to give others hope that they can find the healing that works best for them.

“For myself I tried practically everything that the VA was offering and it got me to a certain point, but I knew there had to be something better,” Krug said.

To that end, Krug has also gotten involved in advocacy work, and has gone to Washington, DC to try to push for changes in laws around plant medicine.

“We need safe access,” Krug said. “Not everybody can afford to go out of country. Not everybody has the resources to leave for 10 days, or a job that they could leave for 10 days without having some repercussions.”

Her closing message to anyone who might see themselves in her story was simple.

”I’m hoping that it does show people there are different modalities to heal if the current pharmaceuticals and the current modalities aren’t working for them,” she said. “And hey, if it helps even one veteran, then it was worth it.”

More information is available at www.HealingHeroes.com. If you or a veteran you know is in crisis, contact the Veterans Crisis Line by calling 988 and pressing 1, or by texting 838255.

Through services such as halotherapy (dry salt therapy), infrared and oxygen/mineral sauna sessions, sound therapy, somatic-based experiences, and lymphatic support, the spa aims to provide natural, non-invasive options that help clients breathe easier, release tension, and restore balance. Halotherapy works by dispersing microscopic, medical-grade salt particles into the air, which are gently inhaled to help clear the respiratory system, reduce inflammation, and support skin health. The spa owner’s goal is to create an environment that is intentionally calm, welcoming individuals and families alike, with offerings designed to meet people where they are in their wellness journey.

“We wanted to create a space that holds people,” said owner Valerie Hemming. “A place where you can arrive as you are and leave with more of yourself. This is about supporting the body’s ability to reset, whether through the breath, the nervous system, or simply giving yourself permission to pause. Salt & Light helps clients breathe easier, release tension, and restore balance. Many clients also notice improved mental clarity and a deeper sense of calm as the body begins to unwind.”

To celebrate its opening, Salt & Light is offering a limited number of complimentary 30-minute salt therapy sessions, giving the community an opportunity to experience deep rest, nervous system support, and respiratory care firsthand.

Salt & Light is located at 701 W Hwy 290, Suite 102, Dripping Springs, TX. For more information or to book a session, visit www.saltandlightatx.com or call or text 512-400-6067.

Volunteers with Hometown Missions demolished a 1970s mobile home Monday in Dripping Springs, clearing the way for a new tiny home to be built for long-time resident Melody Snell as part of the organization’s Spring 2026 Home in a Month project.

The demolition kicks off an intensive, volunteer-driven construction timeline aimed at completing a new stick-built tiny home for Snell within a single month. Snell has lived in the Dripping Springs community for more than 40 years. According to Hometown Missions, her current mobile home had become unsafe and no longer provided adequate shelter.

Hometown Missions Operations Manager Chris Kelker-Newlan said the project reflects the organization’s mission.

”This is what community looks like — people showing up, rolling up their sleeves, and building something that truly changes a life,” Kelker-Newlan said.

A full project schedule, along with volunteer sign-up opportunities, is available on the Hometown Missions website. The Signup Genius includes organized tabs for March, April, and May, allowing volunteers to easily find opportunities that fit their availability.

Hometown Missions encourages individuals, families, businesses, and church groups to get involved and be part of this life-changing experience.

“There is a role for everyone, no matter your age or skill level,” Kelker-Newlan said.

Snell is a member of Gateway Church in Dripping Springs, where she is known as an active participant and prayer leader. She spent her early years in Peru, where her parents served as missionaries translating the Bible into native languages. In recent years, she has faced significant health challenges, including cancer, according to Hometown Missions.

The next event is the slab pour and dedication, which is set for April 9. The next volunteer day will be for the raising of the walls on April 11.

For more details, visit www.hometownmissions.org.

Luis Rangel entered his guilty plea on March 10 - one day after a jury was seated and moments before opening statements were set to begin. The three 30-year sentences will run concurrently.

Rangel was indicted in 2023 for sexually abusing his step-granddaughter over a period of years beginning when she was 7 years old. The child did not come forward until a delayed outcry in 2022. The three counts he pleaded guilty to cover acts that occurred in 2014, 2017 and 2020 and involve performing oral intercourse on the child while she slept.

Because the case was resolved through a guilty plea, the victim did not have to testify about the abuse she experienced. However, she was present in court for Rangel’s plea and sentencing, and was able to address him directly during the proceeding, speaking about the lasting trauma his actions have caused her.

The case was investigated by the Austin Police Department and the San Marcos Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Cassidy Story and Daniel Sakaida, with assistance from Sandra Groters, Avery Slocum, Zoie Sanders and Sergeant Investigator Robert Torres.

Story credited the jury pool with helping bring the case to a resolution without a full trial.

”Without their willingness to serve, a plea agreement would not have been reached,” Story said. “I would also like to thank the victim for her bravery, and we hope that the closing of this chapter will open one that leads to continued healing with the assurance that this man finally paid for the long-term damage he has done.”

Earlier this month, Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra announced a regional “Clear Water Summit,” bringing together water suppliers, groundwater conservation districts and regional authorities to discuss current and future water availability. The invitation-only meeting is expected to focus on water usage, projected demand and long-term supply across the county. The summit was held Friday, with a media availability scheduled afterward, which came after the Daily Record’s time of press.

Now, State Rep. Erin Zwiener is launching a separate effort — with a different group of stakeholders and a more focus approach on data centers and local authority.

“The goal of this working group is to pull together from different parts of the community and different parts of our legal entities to discuss the challenges that are put forward by these data centers and other types of high water use developments and come up with some creative solutions,” Zwiener said.

Zwiener said the working group will bring together elected officials, nonprofit leaders and subject matter experts to examine how high-water-use developments — particularly data centers — are affecting communities in Hays County.

Those expected to participate include Hays County Commissioners Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe and Morgan Hammer, San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson, San Marcos City Councilmember Amanda Rodriguez, representatives from the Wimberley Watershed Association, the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District, the San Marcos River Foundation, the Trinity Edwards Springs Protection Association, the Hill Country Alliance, as well as water provider Wimberley Water Supply Corporation and Robert Mace of The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, among others.

“Our region has been experiencing drought for years, and waterways like Onion Creek and the Blanco River run dry,” Zwiener said. “Residents cut back on water use only to see rates skyrocket or wells go dry as demand increases. Now, big industrial users like data centers threaten our already scarce water resources. Something has to give, and together, this coalition will create real actionable policy solutions to protect our most precious resource.”

The group is expected to explore what tools local governments currently have to manage that growth, as well as identify potential policy changes at the state level aimed at giving cities and counties more authority.

Zwiener said cities still have zoning authority and, in some cases, the ability to reject projects. The city of San Marcos recently denied a zoning change for a proposed data center, but that is increasingly pushing the developments into unincorporated areas outside the city limits, where counties don’t have the same level of control.

She said state law has limited what counties can do in those areas, leaving officials with few options when large-scale projects are proposed.

“You want to believe someone, somewhere, can say no if there is a proposal that really doesn’t work, and folks are learning that that’s just not the case in many circumstances,” Zwiener said.

The two groups share strikingly similar concerns but differ in approach. Becerra’s water summit centers on industrial water use – he highlighted the high water use of data centers – long-term supply planning and “improve coordination among water providers.” Zwiener said her working group is focused on “data centers, water use, and the authority of cities and counties to address related challenges,” looking to provide potential legislative solutions.

There is some overlap in representation between the two groups. However, they are made up of largely different participants. Becerra’s effort includes regional water authorities and water providers, while Zwiener’s group is made up of a wider swath of county and city officials, as well as long-time water advocacy organizations.

While both groups appear to be working toward similar goals, there is some tension between the two efforts, with both officials offering light criticism of the other.

Zwiener said she was “a little bit unclear” about the mission of Becerra’s group, adding that she was focused on bringing together people “who’ve been doing the work” and believed the effort needed a more targeted approach.

Becerra, meanwhile, struck a more playful tone in response.

“I am grateful that our rep has decided that my strategy, approach and format was actually good enough for her to copy paste,” Becerra said.

Despite the back-and-forth, both officials said they welcome additional attention to the issue.

“The more people are doing, the bringing people together to talk about the very dire need to protect our drinking water, the better we will all be served,” Becerra said.

Zwiener similarly said she hopes the group can help build momentum around solutions, noting that water supply and rapid growth are issues being felt across the state.

Dripping Springs ISD celebrated some of its best on Monday, March 9, surprising nine teachers across the district with Campus Teacher of the Year announcements.

Campus winners were selected through a nomination and voting process of all staff at each school. The honorees span a wide range of grade levels and subject areas, from physical education and music to robotics engineering and special education.

On the elementary side, six teachers took home the honor. Cassidy Bloys was recognized at Cypress Springs Elementary, where she teaches special education in the Structured Learning Classroom. Maria Mur, a third-grade teacher at Dripping Springs Elementary, was selected by her campus colleagues, as was Chelsea Cox of Rooster Springs Elementary, who works in special education through inclusion and resource programs. Meredith Gomez, a first-grade teacher at Sycamore Springs Elementary, was chosen alongside Skyelar Hale, the music teacher at Walnut Springs Elementary, and Leighanne Schlicke, who teaches physical education at Wildwood Springs Elementary.

Three secondary educators also earned the distinction. Amanda Mays, a special education FOCUS teacher at Dripping Springs Middle School, was selected by her peers, along with Heidi Michal, who teaches sixth-grade science at Sycamore Springs Middle School. At Dripping Springs High School, engineering and BEST Robotics teacher Austin McCauley was named campus Teacher of the Year.

The recognition carries the possibility of additional honors. All nine campus winners are now eligible for the district’s Elementary Teacher of the Year and Secondary Teacher of the Year awards, which will be announced at the April 27 DSISD board meeting.

Rodger Wilder was sentenced March 5 following a trial that detailed a December 2024 attack on his wife of 44 years. According to prosecutors, the two were engaged in a verbal argument when Wilder strangled her and then shot her four times with a .40 caliber handgun at close range. She was struck in the hip and abdomen and was transported to a hospital, where she survived.

The couple’s son heard the gunshots and came downstairs to find Wilder standing over his mother with the weapon in his hand. He disarmed his father, locked him outside and called 911.

Wilder claimed his wife had attempted to commit suicide. The jury rejected that account.

During the punishment phase of the trial, jurors heard testimony about a pattern of emotional, verbal and physical abuse Wilder had subjected his wife to over the years.

Assistant District Attorney Shea Umphrey, who prosecuted the case alongside ADA Ashley Indelicato, praised the family’s courage in coming forward.

“The victim and her son showed extreme bravery and strength through their testimony,” Umphrey said. “It is because of the son’s quick actions and determination that she is alive today. Domestic violence is unacceptable at any age. We will continue to hold offenders accountable who try to bully, intimidate, and harm others.”

Umphrey also thanked the Hays County Sheriff’s Office and EMS for their work on the case.

The ceremony will be held at the 175-acre preserve, which is adjacent to Jacob’s Well Natural Area in Wimberley. Participants will park at Parking Lot A at Jacob’s Well Natural Area, located at 1699 Mt. Sharp Road in Wimberley. From there, attendees may choose to take a short 0.8-mile round-trip hike to the ceremony site or ride with park staff by golf cart.

Formerly known as Coleman’s Canyon, the property had previously been approved for a high-density development of more than 1,000 residential lots. In 2019, the Watershed Association purchased the land, halting those plans. The following year, Hays County voters approved a Parks and Open Spaces Bond, and the county’s advisory committee flagged the property as a top acquisition priority. Hays County finalized its purchase using bond funds in 2025, with The Nature Conservancy securing a conservation easement to guarantee the land’s permanent protection.

In the months leading up to the opening, county parks staff have worked alongside the Watershed Association and Hays County Master Naturalist volunteers to prepare the land for visitors. That work included trail construction, installation of signage and wayfinding markers, and completion of biological and karst surveys.

Phase 1 of the preserve offers approximately 2 miles of trail, which connects directly to Jacob’s Well Natural Area’s North 40 Trail via a short easement. A second phase, adding more than 2 additional miles, is in the works, though no completion date has been announced.

The preserve takes its name from the karst landscape it protects - terrain shaped by soluble limestone that gives rise to sinkholes, caves, and springs. The property contains numerous such features, a stretch of Dry Cypress Creek, and the well-known Wimberley Bat Cave. It also provides habitat for the endangered golden-cheeked warbler.

Beyond recreation, the preserve plays a meaningful role in the region’s water supply. Karst features like those found on the property are critical recharge zones for the Trinity Aquifer, which feeds iconic springs including Jacob’s Well itself. By shielding these areas from development, the county aims to protect both the quality and quantity of water flowing into the aquifer.

”We are thrilled to welcome the community to explore this new trail system, made possible through funding from the 2020 Parks Bond,” said Precinct 3 Commissioner Morgan Hammer. “Preserving this remarkable landscape - rich with features essential to recharging Jacob’s Well and the aquifer - is an honor and a responsibility we’re proud to uphold.”

Updates on Karst Canyon Preserve and other Hays County parks can be found on the county’s Instagram and Facebook pages.