San Marcos - Buda - Kyle | April 2024

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San Marcos Buda Kyle Edition VOLUME 14, ISSUE 12 APRIL 17MAY 16, 2024

Driverless semis take on Texas

INSIDE

The truck's technology uses sensors, cameras and mapping software to adapt to road conditions, according to Kodiak Robotics.

One of the self-driving truck companies, Kodiak Robotics, is already carrying freight on SH 130 just outside of Buda with a safety driver.

COURTESY KODIAK ROBOTICS

Also in this issue

Impacts: On The Grind opens rst San Marcos location (Page 6)

Government: San Marcos starts valet recycling program (Page 10)

Transportation: I35 and Hwy. 123 construction continues (Page 15)

Business: Jade Seed Wellness oers holistic health care (Page 25)

Your superpower? Knowing where to go in an emergency. 24/7 emergency care, right here in Buda. Be a h ER o

5330 Overpass Road Exit 220, across from Cabelas Drive

Physicians provide clinical services as members of the medical staff at one of Baylor Scott & White Health’s subsidiary, community or affiliated medical centers and do not provide clinical services as employees or agents of those medical centers or Baylor Scott & White Health. ©2024 Baylor Scott & White Health. 09-BU-993545 DT

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SAN MARCOS - BUDA - KYLE EDITION

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

About Community Impact

Owners John and Jennifer Garrett launched Community Impact in 2005, and the company is still locally owned today with editions across Texas. Our mission is to provide trusted news and local information that everyone gets. Our vision is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Our purpose is to be a light for our readers, customers, partners and each other by living out our core values of Faith, Passion, Quality, Innovation and Integrity.

Market leaders & metro team

Reporters Brittany Anderson Elle Bent Amanda Cutshall Kameryn Griesser Sarah Hernandez Katy McAfee Haley McLeod Hannah Norton Brooke Sjoberg Ben Thompson Amira Van Leeuwen Zacharia Washington Chloe Young Graphic Designers Rachal Elliott Alissa Foss Gloria Gonzalez Melissa Johnson Sabrina Musachia

Travis Baker Publisher tbaker@ communityimpact.com

Minh Nguyen Joseph Veloz Copy Editors Adrian Gandara Beth Marshall Account Executive Adrian Martinez Managing Editor Darcy Sprague Senior Art Production Manager Haley Grace

Sierra Martin Editor smartin@ communityimpact.com

Email newsletters communityimpact.com/newsletter Support us Join your neighbors by giving to the CI Patron program. Funds support our journalistic mission to provide trusted, local news in your community. Learn more at communityimpact.com/cipatron

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BLANCO RIVER

Impacts

razor shaves and hot towel facials. • Opened March 8 • 1023 Hwy. 80, Ste. 119, San Marcos • Instagram: razorstandardsllc

San Marcos

AQUARENA SPRINGS DR.

CHESTNUT ST.

5 On the Grind The New Braunfels-based coffee company offers a variety of drinks, including energy drinks, tea, and an assortment of hot and iced coffees. • Opened March 22 • 1508 Aquarena Springs Drive, San Marcos • www.otgcoffee.com 6 Hookah House Lounge & Cafe The hookah lounge has over 150 hookah flavors to choose from, according to its social media, including mint, bubble gum and grapefruit. • Opened Feb. 9 • 312 University Drive, Unit D, San Marcos • Instagram: hookahhousesm 7 Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken The Tennessee-based restaurant serves hot and spicy fried chicken plates with southern sides. • Opened March 4 • 110 E. Martin Luther King Drive, San Marcos • www.gusfriedchicken.com 8 Headwaters Jiu Jitsu The martial arts studio offers adult and children’s jiu jitsu classes Monday through Friday. It is owned by Adrian Amaya and his family and is the home studio of San Marcos’ Stingers Wrestling Club. • Opened Jan. 17 • 101 Uhland Road, Ste. 213, San Marcos • www.headwatersjiujitsu.com 9 Bazaar The new Moroccan-inspired bar held a soft opening in March and will hold its grand opening April 25. The owner, Omar Dawoud, also owns The Marc nightclub. • Opened in March • 202 N. LBJ Drive, San Marcos • www.bazaarsm.com

UHLAND RD.

SESSOM DR.

BUGG LN.

1984

RIVER RD.

WONDER WORLD DR.

123

HOPKINS ST.

BLANCO RIVER

1979

245

MAP NOT TO SCALE

foods such as street tacos, pretzels, and cotton candy. • Opened Feb. 9 • 817 Chestnut St., Ste. 221, San Marcos • Facebook: Kava Kava Down 3 Dino Jiu Jitsu The gym offers a range of jiu jitsu classes suitable for those age 3 or older and caters to all skill levels from beginner to advanced. • Opened Feb. 17 • 700 N LBJ Drive, Ste. 103, San Marcos • www.dinobjj.com 4 Razor Standards LLC The barbershop, owned by San Marcos native Will Williams, offers men’s haircuts, beard trims, straight

Now open

1 Extra Space Storage The storage facility offers a range of small, medium and large climate-controlled storage units for short-term and long-term rental, according to its website. • Opened March 8 • 328 Center Point Road, San Marcos • www.extraspace.com 2 Kava Kava Down Locally owned by MJ Keith, the shop offers a selection of kava-based beverages that can be mixed with pineapple, peach nectar or cherry-flavored juice. Kava Kava Down also hosts events and offers carnival-style

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

BY SARAH HERNANDEZ & AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN

13 Eden Lounge Eden will serve high-end cocktails and have an “electric forest-y” vibe, local owner Francis Foglia said. Aside from cocktails, he hopes to add a food truck outside. • Opening this summer • 210 W. San Antonio St., Stes. 206A-206B, San Marcos

Coming soon

Now open

10 Mile High Mo’s The Canadian cuisine restaurant will open in downtown San Marcos in mid-April. Owner Mo Alfawagreh also owns Mighty Mo’s in Austin and San Antonio. Mile High Mo’s is part of a rebrand and will offer smash burgers, Philly cheesesteaks and poutine, or Canadian loaded fries. • Opening in mid-April • 101 E. Martin Luther King Drive, San Marcos • Instagram: milehighmosusa 11 Buckle The retail store offers a range of men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, footwear and accessories. • Opening TBD • 3939 S. I-35, Ste. 780, San Marcos • www.buckle.com 12 Dolce & Gabbana The designer is known for its “cinematic approach” to fashion, according to its website, and sells women’s, children’s and men’s clothing and accessories. • Opening Fall 2024 • 3939 S. I-35, Ste. 1000, San Marcos • www.dolcegabbana.com/en-it

Relocations

14 San Marcos Outlet Furniture The furniture store relocated from 1946 S. I-35 to 2040 Poplar St. in San Marcos. San Marcos Outlet Furniture carries furniture from Ashley Furniture, mattresses, sofas, benches and more. • Relocated Feb. 1 • 2040 Poplar St., San Marcos • www.sanmarcosoutletfurniture.com

16 Poco Loco Supermercado The supermarket sells a wide range of grocery items, including produce, meat, canned goods,

pastries and more. • Opened March 15

In the news

• 900 Bugg Lane, Ste. 124, San Marcos • www.pocolocosupermercado.com

15 Hays County Food Bank The food bank celebrated its 40th anniversary with a Mardi Gras Gala on Feb. 10. • 220 Herndon St., San Marcos • www.haysfoodbank.org

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SAN MARCOS - BUDA - KYLE EDITION

Impacts

provides a wide variety of arborist equipment and sells and rents trailers. • Opened Jan. 2 • 200 Trademark Drive, Buda • www.topgunn.net 4 Sharks Burger The locally-owned chain serves made-to-order burgers and sides.

CARPENTER HILL DR.

967

45 TOLL

Buda

• Opened March 4 • 18915 I-35, Kyle • www.sharksburger.com

1626

2001

TRADEMARK DR.

5 Relax and Unwind Massage LLC The business offers a range of massage services, including prenatal, couples and sports massages. • Opened March 6 • 1300 Dacy Lane, Ste. 225, Kyle • www.massagebook.com/therapists/ relax-and-unwind-massage 6 Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-Q The barbecue joint serves breakfast tacos, brisket, pork loin and sausage sandwiches with a variety of sides.

KYLE CROSSING

WINDY HILL RD.

2001

KOHLERS CROSSING

150

205

• Opened March 14 • 19430 I-35, Kyle • www.rudysbbq.com

BLANCO RIVER

Kyle

7 Ancora Ministries Local resident Trey Williams founded the nonprofit organization to eradicate malnourishment in Texas and Guatemala through feeding programs, clean water initiatives and education. • Opened April 11 • 3601 Kyle Crossing, Ste. B, Kyle • www.ancoraministries.org 8 Children’s Lighthouse of Kyle Local resident Bradley Fink owns the school and offers early childhood education for children from 6-weeks to 2-years-old. • Opened April 9 • 1190 Veterans Drive, Kyle • www.childrenslighthouse.com/kyle

MAP NOT TO SCALE

150

2 NuSpine Chiropractic The practice offers hydrotherapy massage, adjustments and chiropractic care. • Opened March 8 • 2255 Kohlers Crossing, Ste. 300, Kyle • www.nuspine.com 3 Top Gunn Rentals & Lawn Equipment The equipment rental agency sells professional-grade lawn and garden equipment and supplies. Top Gunn also

Now open

1 Adventures with Dick Hobby The collectible card shop is locally owned by Richard Sager and offers Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh! and more. • Opened March 23 • 1119 S. Old Hwy. 81, Kyle • www.adventureswithdickhobby.com

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BY SARAH HERNANDEZ & AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN

Coming soon

Relocations

Coming soon

9 Frost Bank The commercial banking company is expanding in the Austin region and will open a new location in Kyle. Frost offers an array of personal and business financial services. • Opening TBD • 19019 I-35, Kyle • www.frostbank.com 10 Buda Pediatric Dentistry The practice is owned by Priscilla Chan and will offer

12 Love C Spot The food truck relocated to inside the Bread Basket Convenience Store and was previously located at 1701 Bebee Road. The restaurant serves quesabirria tacos, flautas, burritos and nachos. • Relocated March 9

• 1290 Bebee Road, Kyle • Facebook: I Love C Spot

In the news

pediatric dental services. • Opening in mid-June • 171 Carpenter Hill Drive, Ste. 203, Buda • www.budapediatricdentistry.com

13 Starbucks The coffee chain location in Kyle temporarily closed on March 30 for renovations and is anticipated to reopen on April 15. • 22449 I-35 frontage road, Kyle • www.starbucks.com 14 H-E-B Plus The Kyle H-E-B Plus will be adding a True Texas BBQ and expanding the curbside pickup area, according to Kyle’s Planning and Zoning Commission. • 5401 FM 1626, Kyle • www.heb.com

15 Buda Veterinary Care The locally owned clinic spans 6,500 square feet and will feature separate cat and dog entrances as well as the newest and most advanced veterinary

11 Ally Medical Emergency Room The new location will open in front of Cabela’s in Buda. Ally Medical offers emergency medical services at locations in Austin and Houston. • Opening in late April • 15610 I-35, Buda • www.allymedical.com

diagnostic equipment. • Opening in early 2025 • 835 Main St., Buda • Facebook: Buda Veterinary Care

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The prices of our homes, included features, plans, specifications, promotions/incentives, neighborhood build-out and available locations are subject to change without notice. Not all features and options are available in all homes. Unless otherwise expressly stated, homes do not come with hardscape, landscape, or other decorator items. Any photographs or renderings used herein reflect artists’ conceptions and are for illustrative purposes only. Community maps, illustrations, plans and/or amenities reflect our current vision and are subject to change without notice. Maps not to scale. Our name and the logos contained herein are registered trademarks of Tri Pointe Homes, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries. © 2024 Tri Pointe Homes Texas, Inc. All rights reserved.

SAN MARCOS - BUDA - KYLE EDITION

Government

BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN

Only 20% of multifamily households in Texas have access to recycling, according to The Recy- cling Partnership’s State of Recycling Report, but San Marcos is looking to change that. In collaboration with The Recycling Partner- ship, the city of San Marcos is looking to improve recycling eorts in the multifamily sector through a new pilot valet recycling program, which ocially launched March 4. The Recycling Partnership is a nonprot organi- zation that partners with communities across the nation to improve recycling eorts. Diving in deeper The six-month pilot program is being funded through a $133,000 grant that comes from The Recycling Partnership, which is supported by the American Beverage Association, 3M and Target. Amy Thomaides, the city’s community enhancement initiatives manager, said she was seeing challenges with encouraging residents living in multifamily housing to participate in recycling. “They don’t even know they have recycling on-site,” Thomaides said. Trashbusters Disposal & Recycling will be in charge of picking up the bags of recyclables. They also check for “contamination,” which means there are items in the bag of recyclables that should not be there. If this is the case, the valet will leave a tag with an explanation. San Marcos launches valet recycling program

How the pilot program works

Residents of participating complexes can use the provided blue plastic bags to dispose of their recyclable materials through the valet program.

1 Collect your

2 Place bags

Re ll, repeat

recyclables in the blue bags provided

outside your door on collection

APT A

day by 8 a.m.

Residents who may need more blue bags can place a door hanger on their door or visit their leasing oce.

17 participating apartment complexes • Redpoint San Marcos • Pointe San Marcos • Copper Beech at San Marcos • The Retreat

Did you know? The percentage of households that have access to recycling in Texas:

• Arba San Marcos • Vintage Pads Apartments • Topaz Apartments • Highcrest Apartments • Savannah Club Apartments • Village Green Apartments • Stone Brook Seniors • Mariposa at Hunter Road • The Reserve at San Marcos

• The Grove at San Marcos • Leah Avenue Townhomes • The Cottages at Hillside Ranch • The Village on Telluride

Single-family: 81%

Multi-family: 20%

SOURCES: CITY OF SAN MARCOS, THE RECYCLING PARTNERSHIP STATE OF RECYCLING REPORTCOMMUNITY IMPACT

Community Program Manager Alita Kane emphasized The Recycling Partnership is focus- ing on driving the circular economy forward. “For recycling to work, it’s not just about having access and even having participation. That recycling material that goes into the cart needs to also be packaging that is highly recyclable, and once it gets into the cart it needs to be sorted in a way where we’re able to actually have a viable product at the end of that,” Kane said. Kane said San Marcos was “trailblazing” with the pilot program. What to expect The program will end Aug. 30. City sta and The Recycling Partnership will collect data and put together a report that will

"We’ve made leaps and strides in the single-family sector, but we know there’s so much work to be done [with recycling],

especially for access in the multifamily sector." ALITA KANE, THE RECYCLING PARTNERSHIP COMMUNITY PROGRAM MANAGER

analyze whether participation and contamina- tion increased or decreased along with resident feedback. Then they will write a sample request for proposal and go out to bid for a contract to make the program more permanent.

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Government

BY AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN

Council approves opioid education program San Marcos City Council approved a $100,000 contract with Cenikor—a nonprot drug rehabili- tation and mental health organization—to provide a program for opioid treatment, awareness and education on March 19. The background In September 2017, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and a bipartisan coalition of 40 other states began an investigation into eight companies that distribute or manufacture opioid drugs. City Council approved resolutions authorizing the city of San Marcos to opt in to the settlement agree- ments with opioid manufacturers on Dec. 15, 2021 and April 4, 2023 according to agenda documents. By opting into the settlements, the city may be entitled to $600,000 in monetary relief that could be used for drug treatment and diversion programs. About the program Cenikor will be integrating Medicated Assistant Treatment assessments with prevention education and harm reduction approaches to mitigate the impacts of opioid use within the community. Contract funds will go toward hiring a nurse Kyle council to receive health insurance In a 4-3 decision on April 2, Kyle City Council voted for the mayor and city council to receive access to health insurance. City Manager Bryan Langley told Commu- nity Impact that the city does not know who will opt into the insurance, and cost will vary. Explained Since health insurance is not considered a salary by law, amending the ordinance and budget does not violate State law or the City Charter, according to an email from Director of Communications Rachel Sonnier. The amendment to the budget would cost a maximum of $133,079 if all council mem- bers accepted the insurance and covered all dependents. The city will not have a nal number until April 19, which is when the enrollment period ends.

Buda Train Depot design moves forward Buda City Council selected a site design for the Buda Train Depot on March 5, which gives space for a plaza along Main Street that can be used for holiday and community celebrations. One more thing Although the building is being donated, the city will still need to pay for the reloca- tion and foundation reconstruction. Assistant Director of Development Services Will Parrish said the city does not have money allocated in the budget for the depot’s relocation; however, sta is in discussion with several contractors to deter- mine relocation and reconstruction costs.

Main goals and priorities of the opioid treatment and education program

Monitor residents utilizing Medication- Assisted Treatment Track engagement of healthcare providers in opioid prescription training Document the scope of the fentanyl education initiative Collaborate with Texas State University Evaluate the eectiveness of media campaigns on opioid misuse prevention

SOURCE: CITY OF SAN MARCOSCOMMUNITY IMPACT

practitioner to administer MAT induction assessments and follow up on maintenance and medication orders. The budgeted $100,000 will also go toward hiring a part-time team member to document the full scope of services for the program, according to agenda documents. Cenikor will be providing training for local health- care providers and collaborating with the Hays County Local Health Department and other local entities to provide training and increased access to Naloxone, a medication that works to reverse an opioid overdose. Cenikor will also work to com- plete a fentanyl education initiative at local school districts, focusing on grades 6-12 and partner with Texas State University and other local stakeholders. The program runs from April 2024 to April 2025. Kyle looks towards November 2024 bond Kyle City Council may call a bond for a commu- nity center with a senior center, library functions and recreational space in the November 2024 election. On March 16, council held a special meeting to create a task force and bring back a recommenda- tion for an architectural rm. What you need to know According to City Manager Bryan Langley, the council is considering two potential sites for the community center: • City-owned property on Dacy Lane • Kyle Vista Park Langley said it was “too soon” to tell whether or not the bond would pose a tax increase. Council members thought they could issue a $70 million bond and stay under the $0.59 tax rate

BUDA AMPHITHEATER & CITY PARK

RAILROAD ST.

PROPOSED BUDA TRAIN DEPOT SITE

Potential sites for Community Center

A KYLE VISTA PARK B DACY LANE CITY OWNED PROPERTY

SUNFLOWER CIRCLE

SOURCE: CITY OF KYLECOMMUNITY IMPACT

authorized by the voters in 2022, however there was discussion about issuing a higher tax rate depending on the needs of the community. Oering input Tobias emphasized that the city needs to be prepared for a tax increase. “We have lots of visions, lots of wants, lots of needs, but we also have bills to pay at the end of the month here in our city,” Tobias said. If approved, the bond election would be called in August.

SAN MARCOS BUDA KYLE EDITION

Let PEC’s new outage map be your guide

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It’s easier than ever to report and track your outage

• Report your outage online without logging in to your account. • Search by address to see if your outage has been reported. • Get helpful details like an estimated time of restoration, the cause of the outage, and/or the crew’s status when available. • Want to see how the weather is impacting service in your area? Click on the weather tab to turn on the radar overlay. • Read our outage-related resources, and you’ll know how to handle any situation! PEC is making reporting outages as painless as possible with our newly enhanced outage map. Visit map.pec.coop map.pec.coop to check out the new features!

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Election

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON

Voter Guide

2023

Dates to know

Where to vote

For the May 4 local election, voters should keep in mind the following dates:

Any voter in Hays County can vote at any polling location during early voting or on election day. Visit www.hayscountytx.com/departments/elections/current-year- elections for polling locations.

April 22: First day of early voting April 23: Last day to apply for a ballot by mail April 30: Last day of early voting May 4: Election day

Hays CISD Trustee-at-large

*INCUMBENT

Jay Adcock Questionnaire not returned by deadline.

Katy Armstrong Occupation: Educator

Geoff Seibel Occupation: Actuary

Relevant experience: Master’s in Education, educator, business owner www.katyforhayscisd.com

Relevant experience: Former teacher; [facilities and bond oversight committee] for 5 years; school site selection committee; parent; Hays CISD volunteer geoffseibelforhayscisd@gmail.com

Hays is rapidly growing, and we need to keep up our level of excellence while the state maintains its push for school vouchers. School safety, from bullying to keeping fentanyl away from our kids to making sure our students are protected while at school, are top priorities as well. What are your major areas of concern for the district?

Educating our students to ensure they are successful beyond graduation; protecting our students, both physically and emotionally; continuing to show our teachers how much we value their work by offering competitive salaries; and being financially responsible with taxpayer money as the district manages our growth.

Questionnaire not returned by deadline.

Hays CISD Single-Member District 3

Courtney Runkle* Occupation: Law firm manager Relevant experience: Former facilities and bond oversight committee member, current school board secretary www.courtneyforhays.com

Ray Chávez Occupation: Educator (ret.), journalist Relevant experience: Award- winning educator, development director, accreditation assessor www.ray4schooltrustee.com

Growth and lack of sufficient funding continue to be areas we constantly monitor in Hays CISD. Our district is growing exponentially, bringing a constant influx of new families to our community and our campuses. We must keep up with the growth. What are your major areas of concern for the district?

My concerns for the district include public school financing, massive student population growth, district infrastructure and school construction, mobility problems involving neighborhood traffic and school dismissal times, school safety including the need for more school resource officers and security measures, and the student mental health and fentanyl-related crisis.

Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. For more election coverage, go to www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.

SAN MARCOS - BUDA - KYLE EDITION

Education

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON & SIERRA MARTIN

Fatal school bus crash prompts seat belt reform Hays CISD parents have requested the board of trustees take action on adding three-point seatbelts to all school buses in response to a fatal bus accident that occurred on March 22. Two-minute impact A Hays CISD bus carrying 44 Tom Green Elemen- tary preschool students and 11 adults collided with a concrete truck in Bastrop while returning from a field trip to a zoo. Ulises Rodriguez Montoya, 5, was killed in the crash, along with an adult driver behind the bus. Fifty-one others were injured. There are two GoFundMe fundraisers in place for Ulises’ funeral expenses and for unexpected expenses for the students and staff involved in the crash. Looking ahead District officials stated in a news release the

San Marcos CISD cancels election

The following actions have been requested by Hays CISD parents to the board of trustees:

Adopt policies that require any bus used to transport students for school activities—other than on routes to and from school—be equipped with three-point seatbelts. Agree to identify funding sources and the best course of action to ensure that every bus used for travel is equipped with three-point seatbelts. Establish a standing agenda item for every board of trustees meeting until every bus used by the district is equipped with three-point seatbelts.

The San Marcos CISD board of trustees voted unanimously to cancel the May 4 election due to only two people applying for the open at-large positions. The details Incumbent board President Anne Halsey and Juan Miguel Arredondo were unop- posed for the at-large positions. “We’re canceling [the election] and sav- ing the attending taxpayer dollars,” Halsey said during a regular meeting March 18. Halsey and Arredondo’s three-year terms for the at-large trustee positions will begin in May. Mari Salmi, a current at-large trustee, will be leaving the board at the end of her term in May.

SOURCE: MEGAN OWEN, HAYS CISD PARENT/COMMUNITY IMPACT

bus involved was a 2011 model and one of the 15 buses of the district’s 109 not equipped with seat- belts. HCISD began buying buses with seatbelts in 2017. Officials stated in the release that purchasing buses with seatbelts will be discussed with the Facilities and Bond Oversight Committee “in con- sideration of potentially accelerating the normal Hays CISD bus replacement cycle.”

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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Transportation

BY SIERRA MARTIN, AMIRA VAN LEEUWEN & ERIC WEILBACHER

Hopkins Street to acquire left turn lane The San Marcos intersection of Hopkins Street and Guadalupe Street is receiving upgrades to existing traffic signals to accom- modate a westbound left turn lane. The gist The project will also resurface and restripe traffic lanes, install pedestrian push buttons, and construct Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant ramps. Construction is slated to be completed in May.

Work at I-35 and Hwy. 123 intersection to continue Construction around the intersection of I-35 and Hwy. 123 in San Marcos will continue into 2025. The Texas Department of Transportation is improving entrance and exit ramps, said Antonio Lujan, a public information officer for TxDOT. The details In September, crews permanently closed the southbound I-35 exit 204A to Hwy. 123 to begin constructing a new entrance ramp in its place, Lujan said in a statement to Community Impact . All southbound I-35 traffic will continue to use the CM Allen Parkway exit 204B to access Hwy. 123. The reconstruction work is part of a larger plan to widen the I-35 bridge over Hwy. 123. All traffic is running on the newly constructed northbound bridge while crews continue to work on the southbound side. A bridge deck was recently

GUADALUPE ST.

123

poured, and work continues on the retaining walls. The bridge railing and paving is yet to be completed, Lujan said. Crews are also working on a new entrance ramp south of Hwy. 80 and Hopkins Street. One more thing The project will total $107 million when com- plete, with funding provided by the Capitol Area Metropolitan Planning Organization and TxDOT.

Kyle 2022 road bond projects see movement Improvements are on the way for the eastern and western portions of Bebee Road in Kyle. Kyle City Council approved two task orders to Indianapolis-based architect and engineering firm American Structurepoint.

REPUBLIC DR.

West project $730K

What you need to know Both projects will realign the sharp curves of Bebee Road—between I-35 and Sunlight Boule- vard—and upgrade Bebee Road between I-35 and Goforth Road, according to agenda documents. The road bond approved by voters in 2022 also consists of four proposed roundabouts.

East project $3.55M

GREEN PASTURES RD.

The task order for the eastern portion of Bebee Road was $3.55 million, and the western portion was $730,306.13.

SOURCE: CITY OF KYLE/COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Real estate

The most recent data showed median home prices in Kyle and Buda decreased slightly year over year from February 2023 to February 2024. Residential market data

Number of homes sold

Average home price in the last 6 months

-20%

+48.86%

+7.02%

78666 $362,762

78640 $352,580

February 2023

February 2024

78610 $394,086

78666

78640

78610

78640

Median home sales price

78132 35

78666

February

2023

2024

$311,450

$360,690

78666

$349,000

$328,550

78640

Homes sold by price point

$430,000

$382,078

February 2024

78610

$1 million+

$750,000-$999,999

Number of homes under contract

Average days on the market

$500,000-$749,999

-29.9%

+45.3%

+34.4%

-20.2%

+9.64%

-17.24%

156

$300,000-$499,999

<$299,999

MARKET DATA PROVIDED BY FOUR RIVERS ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS 8306256954 WWW.FOURRIVERSREALTORS.COM

78666

78640

78610

78666

78640

78610

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Environment

BY MELISSA ENAJE

BY KAMERYN GRIESSER

10 Texas counties exceed EPA’s new air quality standard

Bluebonnet season began early this year—what does it mean? Bluebonnet Bloom time: March-May Texas paintbrush Bloom time: March-September

A new national air quality standard announced Feb. 7 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency aims to lower the amount of ne particulate pollution emitted by power plants, vehicles and industrial facilities. Federal ocials said the eorts are meant to better protect communities across the U.S. from the dangerous and costly health eects of air pollution. “This nal air quality standard will save lives and make all people healthier, especially within Ameri- ca’s most vulnerable and overburdened communi- ties,” EPA Administrator Michael Regan said. The takeaway Ten Texas counties do not meet revised annual levels based on 2020-22 air quality monitoring data from the EPA, including in the Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston areas. They are: Bowie County, Cameron County, Dallas County, El Paso County, Harris County, Hidalgo County, Kleberg County, Tarrant County, Travis County and Webb County.

San Antonio’s Bexar County is one of the 12 Texas counties that meets the new annual air pollution levels, according to the 2020-22 data. Several counties are projected to meet the more protective standard in 2032, which is likely the earliest year states would need to meet the revised standard, according to the EPA. However, the EPA predicts Harris, Travis and Hidalgo counties will not be able to meet the new standards by 2032. The gist The national annual air quality standard for ne particulate matter exposure was lowered from a level of 12 micrograms per cubic meter to 9 micrograms per cubic meter. Fine particulate matter is a mixture of various particles—such as dust, dirt, soot and smoke— emitted by industrial facilities, vehicles, con- struction sites, res or unpaved roads, according to ocials with the environmental nonprot Air Alliance Houston.

In recent weeks, Texans traveling on major highways may have noticed a familiar harbinger of spring: seas of bluebonnets ooding the roadsides— over a month early this year. What’s happening? A typical bluebonnet season begins in early April, but the rst buds arrived at the end of February, said Andrea DeLong-Amaya, the direc- tor of horticulture for the Lady Bird Johnson Wildower Center. She said the ower typically blooms until mid-May before they become “toasted.” “The seeds start to germinate in the fall, when we get a lot of rain, and then continue to grow in the winter,” DeLong-Amaya said. “If it ends up being a really dry spring, [the season] might stop earlier.” DeLong-Amaya said another wildower to look out for next is the pink evening primrose, followed by paintbrushes and star hibiscus.

Butteryweed Bloom time: May-September

Texas redbud Bloom time: March-April

Pink evening primrose Bloom time: February-October

Texas star hibiscus Bloom time: May-September

Exxon Mobil’s Olens Plant in Baytown has raised health concerns for residents.

COURTESY TERRI BLACKWOOD

SOURCE: LADY BIRD JOHNSON WILDFLOWER CENTERCOMMUNITY IMPACT

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From the cover

Driverless semis take on Texas

The breakdown

2-minute impact

Goff said autonomous trucks differ from cars as they have more predictable driving patterns and fewer obstacles, such as pedestrians, cyclists and stop lights, compared to taxis. Cruise and Waymo also have larger fleets than autonomous truck companies do. “The Kodiak system doesn’t get tired, it doesn’t get distracted, it doesn’t check its phone, it doesn’t have a bad day and take it out on the road,” he said.

Autonomous vehicle companies are required to self-report any crash incidents to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Waymo and Cruise take the lead in collisions among 39 companies with 240 and 151 crashes respectively, according to data collected from July 2021 to Feb. 15 by the NHTSA. Third in line is Gen- eral Motors, which owns Cruise, with 144 crashes, according to NHTSA.

By the end of 2024, Texas drivers could look over to see a semitruck traveling down the highway with no one in the driver’s seat. Leading the charge in the Austin area is autonomous truck company Kodiak Robotics, which is already hauling IKEA furniture and Tyson Foods chicken daily on Texas roads. Currently, Kodiak trucks have a “safety driver” monitoring the truck as it carries freight for hundreds of miles. By the end of the year, Kodiak will send trucks out unmanned. Autonomous vehicles could adapt to be safer than a human driver, resolve supply chain issues and make life for truck drivers easier, Dan Goff, head of policy at Kodiak, said. Austin Curtis, CEO of San Marcos-based freight brokerage Guadalupe Logistics, said driverless semis could tackle routes that go into unsafe areas or are financially unviable. “Every day loads don’t ship because we can’t find a driver to deliver it,” Curtis said.

Autonomous vehicle crashes

Waymo

240

Cruise

151

Car

Semitruck

General Motors

144

From July 2021 to Feb. 15, Waymo, Cruise and General Motors self-reported the most crash incidents among the autonomous vehicle companies that self reported nationwide.

Kodiak 3 5 Aurora

100

150

200

250

SOURCE: NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION/COMMUNITY IMPACT

Explained

Autonomous trucking companies such as Torc Robotics, Aurora and Gatik use sensors, cameras and mapping software as safety features, though each company has a different approach. Below are examples of how Kodiak addresses concerns: How do Kodiak trucks navigate obstacles? Unlike other self-driving vehicles that use heav- ily-detailed maps to navigate, Kodiak trucks use

a simpler map that can be updated regularly. The trucks also have 18 sensors that monitor all parts of the vehicle and its surroundings 10 times each sec- ond. This technology allows the semis to respond to changing road conditions, such as an accident. How do Kodiak’s deal with adverse weather? The trucks routinely operate in inclement weather, as its sensors are able to see through rain

and fog better than the human eye can, according to the company. During a storm, the semis slow down to match the environment on the road and can pull over to wait it out. How do Kodiak trucks respond to tire blowouts? In the event of a tire blowout, Kodiak’s system triggers its "fallback plan" by turning on its hazards and pulling to a safe stop on the side of the road.

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What's next?

The why

Autonomous vehicle companies Aurora and Gatik are also poised to join the race to go driverless by the end of the year, focusing on routes in Dallas and Houston. Aurora representatives said they have longer-term plans to expand to Central Texas. To accommodate the influx of driverless semis in the Austin-area, the Texas Department of Transportation has a plan to establish a "smart corridor" on SH 130 from Georgetown through Del Valle. The stretch will be equipped with sensors and cameras to help the vehicles navigate road conditions and hazards, according to road technology company Cavnue. “SH 130 is one of many advanced toll roads in Texas with several technologies already like fiber, cellular, cameras and tolling facilities,” said Darran Anderson, TxDOT’s director of strategy and innovation. Details on when the smart corridor will officially launch have not been announced.

Georgetown

Texas roads have been ideal for autonomous trucking companies to launch new technology, Goff said, as the state has some of the most lucra- tive freight routes in the nation and legislators have welcomed the new innovation. The supportive culture sprouted from Senate Bill 2205, a law passed by the Texas Legislature in 2017 that prohibits cities from regulating autono- mous vehicles due to their economic potential. While self-driving semis have not received much push back in the more than two years they’ve been on the road, the bill allowed autono- mous passenger vehicles to pilot new technology which has garnered more attention from locals. Autonomous vehicle company Cruise launched over 100 self-driving taxis in Austin for just over a year before pausing operations last October due to safety concerns and public complaints. However, Waymo’s self-driving Jaguars are rolling through Austin’s streets as of March 6.

183

Hutto

Round Rock

45 TOLL

Smart Corridor Technology along SH 130 will assist navigation of autonomous trucks.

130 TOLL

290

Manor

MOPAC

183

Austin

Del Valle

Buda

45 TOLL

SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION/ CAVNUE/ COMMUNITY IMPACT

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Events

BY SARAH HERNANDEZ

a mini-triathlon for kids between 3-8 years old featuring a route with biking, walking/running and a cool down at the new Gregg-Clarke Park Splash Pad. • April 27, 8-10 a.m. • $10 per child • Gregg-Clarke Park, 1231 W. Center St., Kyle • www.teamsideline.com/kyle Buda Wiener Dog Races In addition to the races, there will be a food court, craft vendor market, kids’ zone and barbecue cookoff. • April 27-28, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. • $10 (ages 3 and up) • Buda Amphitheater & City Park, 204 San Antonio St., Buda • www.budalions.com Heritage Home Tour Dive into San Marcos history at this 47th annual event, Vintage Bungalows on Old Buggy Trails. The self- guided tour will include six of the town’s most iconic homes and cabins with two bonus homes in the La Cima subdivision. • May 4-5, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. • $25 (advanced tickets); $30 (day-of tickets) • Locations vary • www.heritagesanmarcos.org

April

Spring Lake Earth Day Festival The Meadows Center’s annual festival returns to the headwaters of the San Marcos River. This family- friendly event will have educational and recreational opportunities for all ages. • April 20, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. • Free (admission) • Spring Lake Natural Area, 397 San Marcos Springs Drive, San Marcos • www.meadowscenter.txst.edu/education/earth-day Murder at the Winery Put on your detective hat and solve a mysterious murder case while enjoying delicious wine and appetizers. Join Wineaux for this cocktail party game that takes place at a winery in Italy. Each attendee will be assigned a character. A complimentary glass of wine is included with each ticket. Space and tickets are limited. • April 20, 6-10 p.m. • $35 • Wineaux, 314 E. Hutchison St., San Marcos • www.txwineaux.com Tiny Tot Triathlon Kyle’s littlest competition, the Tiny Tot Triathlon, will be

Empty Bowl Fundraiser This annual event raises funds for the Hays County Food Bank, allowing guests to feed 100 people with the purchase of a bowl. Community members can participate by donating in exchange for a handmade, ceramic bowl from the Inspired Minds Art Center. They can then take a gourmet soup and bread to-go. • April 20, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. • $35 minimum donation • Inspired Minds Art Center, 121 Main St., Buda • www.inspiredminds.art

We treat s pine. And only spine.

47 th ANNUAL HOME TOUR

VINTAGE BUNGALOWS ON OLD BUGGY TRAILS An event organized by the Heritage Association of San Marcos

SATURDAY, MAY 4 & SUNDAY, MAY 5, 2024 11AM-4PM

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