San Marcos Daily RecordFriday, February 1, 2013 75 cents101st Year No. 218 Subscribe: 392-6143 Advertise: 392-2458

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San MarcosDaily Record

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Robbery, chase, 2 arrests

By ANITA MILLERNews Editor

Doggone good job.That’s was the word from Hays County Sheriff

Gary Cutler Thursday afternoon, crediting thedepartment’s K-9 Deputy “Rocky” for the captureof an armed robbery suspect.Cutler said the dog led officers to 24-year-old

Justin Anthony Hernandez, who was hidingbeneath brush in a creek bed seven or eight milesaway and an hour and a half after he and 29-year-old Gary Zuniga allegedly burglarized ahouse and shot at the homeowner.It all started about 9:15 a.m., when the home-

owner arrived at his house in the 300 block ofMourning Dove Lane in Buda’s Oak Forest subdi-vision.“He surprised the burglars,” Cutler said. He

said the homeowner never got out of his car andbriefly followed the suspects, who were in a silverDodge pickup. They fired at least once and struckthe homeowner’s vehicle, Cutler said.With officers in pursuit, the two suspects pro-

ceeded to FM 967 and then to FM 150 nearDripping Springs before ditching the truck nearthe intersection of FM 150 and Springwood and

bolting on foot.Zuniga was “apprehended quickly,” but

Hernandez made his way into a wooded area.Cutler said deputies, assisted by the San

Marcos Police Department, Hays CountyConstable Pct. 3 and the Department of PublicSafety assisted in establishing a perimeter.The DPS also furnished a helicopter. The SWAT

and Crisis Negotiations teams were called out butthere was no negotiation.Cutler said residents in the area of the search

were notified via “reverse 911.” “We wanted citi-zens to be aware of what was going on.” He saiddeputies also called for the lockdown of HillCountry School.All five schools in the Dripping Springs ISD

STAAR testsa mixed bagfor SMCISDThe San Marcos CISD on Thursday

reported passing rates for Phase 1 of2012 STAAR student testing forgrades three through eight.District officials indicated test

results were strong in some areasand not so strong in others.Math, they said, showed some of

the highest gains.Grade 3 results in both reading

and math outperformed the stateaverage. SMCISD scored 80 percentpassing to the state average of 76percent in reading, and 70 percent tothe state’s 68 percent passing rate inmath.

BTI bus service at university to end Aug. 26The Texas State University Bobcat Tram

Interurban (BTI) service will cease operation onAug. 26 of this year, university officials saidThursday.“In order to best utilize the student bus fee and

serve the largest number of passengers possible,Transportation Services will refocus all availableresources on the student, faculty and staff transitneeds in San Marcos,” a news release from the uni-versity said.Though the regular shuttle service will continue,

the Texas State will no longer operate the BTI serv-ice to Kyle/Austin and New Braunfels/San Antonio.

Transportation Services officials said the univer-sity “will implement a more vibrant carpooling sys-tem to provide an alternative means of accessingthe campus.”Eliminating the BTI Service will allow Texas State

to reassign some of the buses, they said.“We will be implementing a ‘point to point’ bus

service, at no additional charge, from the campusdirectly to the Mill Street perimeter lot (AZ-12) withno other stops beginning Aug. 28,” the news releasecontinued. ”Vehicles with perimeter parking permitsmay park in the Mill Street lot. Bus service onother routes will also be evaluated and adjusted

accordingly,” it said.In November the Texas A&M Transportation

Institute, at the request of Texas State University,conducted a comprehensive and objective review ofthe transit service provided by Texas State includ-ing the San Marcos service and the BTI service. Thereview included a cost/benefit analysis and riskassessment of the current services.Findings of the review indicated that questions

concerning cost, reliability, timeliness, safety andvalue played major roles in the decision to halt theBTI service and focus more on student transporta-tion needs in San Marcos.

Gary Zuniga Justin Anthony Hernandez

Hays County Deputy Troy Mayes and K-9Deputy “Rocky.” (Photo by Anita Miller)

K-9 Deputy ‘Rocky’credited with captureof armed suspect

(See Capture page 2A)

Making surethe fire is outIt was only a small firein a dumpster, but ittriggered an all-outresponse by SanMarcos firefighters andpolice Thursday morn-ing to an apartmentcomplex on Leah Drivebehind Sam’s Club.After putting the fireout, fire personnelpoked around to makesure nothing was stillburning. An investiga-tion by Fire MarshalKen Bell is pending.(Photo by Anita Miller)(See STAAR page 2A)

Jan. 30• 9:45 a.m. -

Criminal mischief,222 Ramsay Street,report.• 12:15 p.m. -

Minor collision, 1439IH-35 North, blueform.• 12:31 p.m. -

Investigation, 1301Hwy. 123, citation.• 1:29 p.m. -

Collision with injury,W. Access Road atTexas Avenue, report.• 3:03 p.m. - Theft,

3939 IH-35 South,report.• 3:33 p.m. -

Disorderly conduct,301 Foxtail run, cita-tion.• 4:56 p.m. -

Terroristic threat,SMPD, report.• 6:03 p.m. - Minor

collision, 202 IH-35North, report.• 6:45 p.m. - Fraud,

SMPD, report.• 6:53 p.m. - Theft,

338 S. GuadalupeStreet, referred.• 8:14 p.m. -

Harassment, 108Saltillo Street, report.• 9:37 p.m. - Gas

leak/gas odor, 428 N.

Comanche Street, firecall.• 10:02 p.m. -

Disturbance/noise,1150 E. River RidgeParkway, verbal warn-ing.• 10:29 p.m. -

Assault with injury,1740 Old Ranch Road12, Preston RyanWillis, 20, arrested.• 10:49 p.m. -

Possession of a con-trolled substance,possession of marijua-na less than twoounces, warrantarrest, 1601 IH-35North, Nancy CisnerosReyes, 39, arrested.• 10:49 p.m. -

Burglary of a habita-tion, 1800 Post Road,Andres Garcia, 29,arrested.

Jan. 31• 2:19 a.m. -

Driving while intoxi-cated, 1214 IH-35South, Amanda MarieChavarria, 24, arrest-ed.• 2:19 a.m. - Public

intoxication, 1214 IH-35 South, ShaunAllen Mathis, 24,arrested.

SMPD BlotterPage 2A - THE DAILY RECORD, San Marcos, TX., Friday, February 1, 2013

Local 5-Day ForecastFri

2/1

70/49Mostlysunny skies.High near70F. WindsSE at 10 to20 mph.

Sunrise:7:22 AM

Sunset:6:09 PM

Sat2/2

73/47Mix of sunand clouds.Highs in thelow 70s andlows in theupper 40s.

Sunrise:7:21 AM

Sunset:6:10 PM

Sun2/3

71/52Times ofsun andclouds.Highs in thelow 70s andlows in thelow 50s.

Sunrise:7:20 AM

Sunset:6:11 PM

Mon2/4

74/56Cloudy.Highs in themid 70s andlows in themid 50s.

Sunrise:7:20 AM

Sunset:6:12 PM

Tue2/5

76/58Few show-ers. Highs inthe mid 70sand lows inthe upper50s.

Sunrise:7:19 AM

Sunset:6:13 PM

Brownsville76/59

Houston69/51

Austin69/49

Dallas62/47

El Paso64/36

Amarillo63/32

San Antonio72/51

San Marcos70/49

Texas At A Glance

Area CitiesCity Hi Lo Cond. City Hi Lo Cond.Abilene 67 43 sunny Kingsville 77 58 mst sunnyAmarillo 63 32 sunny Livingston 67 45 mst sunnyAustin 69 49 mst sunny Longview 61 44 sunnyBeaumont 66 48 mst sunny Lubbock 65 34 sunnyB

ALLERGY FORECAST Central Texas Health Research Allergy & Asthma

Molds - High Trees - High

ObituariesElsie JoSpillers NewtonJo Newton, 88, of

Burnet died Wednesday,Jan. 30 at Regent CareCenter in San Marcos.Visitation will be

Saturday, Feb. 2 at 1p.m. with funeral servic-es following at 2 p.m. atFirst Baptist ChurchBurnet. Her son,Reverend Mark Newton,will officiate. Intermentin Post MountainCemetery,Burnet.Elsie Jo

Spillers Newtonwas born Sept.8, 1924 in afarm house inthe HooverValleyCommunity inBurnet County,to Rex A. Spillersand TillieFrances Lynn Spillers.Jo, along with her

sister Winnie and othersiblings Dora, Chuckand Bill, were raised bytheir devoted and hard-working mother. Sheattended all grades ofschool in Burnet andwas a proud graduate ofBurnet High Schoolclass of 1942.Following graduation

Jo began working forthe city of Burnet withoffices located in theBurnet CountyCourthouse. Sheworked in the utilitybilling department andlater moved to the newcity offices on thesquare and worked forthe city secretary.In 1946 Jo was rein-

troduced to DouglasNewton, also a Burnetnative. After dating sev-eral months they mar-ried Sept. 12, 1946.From that moment on itwas always “Doug andJo" ... a loving anddevoted couple. Theywere married more than60 years until Doug'sdeath in 2006.Following the birth of

their first child, Jo did-n't return to work forthe city. She devotedherself full time to herhome and family. From1962-1985, however, Jowas secretary, book-keeper, accountant,payroll officer and HRspecialist for NewtonService Center, her hus-band's local business.Of course she was neverpaid and worked fromher kitchen table.

Jo became aChristian at the BurnetChurch of Christ andfaithfully attended thechurch. In 1972 shejoined the First BaptistChurch of Burnet so allher family could wor-ship together. She wasactive in all areas ofchurch life at FirstBaptist. Jo taught year-ly in VBS as well asleading young girls inmissions’ education in

GA's. As a mom,Jo was alwayssupportive of herchildren in theirschool activi-ties. She wasroom mother,PTA member andBooster Clubparent. Jo wasknown as a kind,compassionateand graciouswoman who lived

to serve and constantlyworry over all of herfamily.Jo is survived by her

children CarolynStephens and husbandBuddy of Burnet; SteveNewton and wife Helenof Burnet; BeckyGrimes and husbandTed of Palacios andMark Newton and wifeAurelia of San Marcos.Grandchildren includeTom Stephens and wifeChris, ShannonStephens and wife Val,Joshua Brannon,Jessica Doramus andhusband Darrell,Bonnie McNiel and hus-band Jeff, Sam Newton,Andrea Lambert andhusband Stacy, AdolynnNewton and TruettNewton as well as 11great-grandchildren. Jois also survived by herbrother-in-law and sis-ter-in-law Ernest andAudrey Newton, andmany nieces andnephews. Jo was pre-ceded in death by herhusband and hergranddaughter RobinLynn Stephens.The family wishes to

express appreciation tothe staff and caregiversof Regent Care Center ofSan Marcos for the lov-ing care they providedJo the past two years aswell as the members ofThe First BaptistChurch of San Marcos.Memorials may be

given to First BaptistChurch of San MarcosBuilding Fund.Condolences can be

sent to the family online at edgarfh.com.

Jami LynnVaught MooreJami Lynn Vaught

Moore died peacefullyMonday Jan. 28, 2013in San Marcos after ashort battle with cancer.Jami was born in

Houston on Feb. 3,1955 and raised inPasadena where sheattended SamRayburn HighSchool, class of1973.Jami had

many profes-sions through-out her life.Mainly she wasan interiordesigner, focus-ing on residen-tial design. Shealso was anexcellent chef who lovedto share her talent.Recently, you could findher at the San MarcosFarmers Market sellingher infamous home-made biscotti andjezebel sauce. Her culi-nary expertise wasenjoyed not only by herfamily at the dinnertable but also throughvarious other jobs likeprivate catering andrunning a cafe atSkydive San Marcos inprevious years.Jami had many tal-

ents. Jami was a beauti-ful singer and song-

writer who had a pas-sion for music. She wasan avid guitar playerand was happy to playwith or for anyone. Jamialso enjoyed theatre andeven starred in a fewplays with theWimberley Players.Jami was preceded in

death by her parentsLawrence Truman

Vaught andSylvia BartonVaught, her uncleBailey Barton,younger sisterHolly CarylVaught and ex-husband MarkMoore.She is survived

by her son CaseyLee Vaught. Shealso leavesbehind her niece

Callie Vaught, sister-in-law Melinda Vaught, theBarton and Spears fami-lies and beloved boxermix Cosmo. Jami hadmany friends dear toher heart and consid-ered them extendedfamily. While there aretoo many to name, eachone knows how muchshe loved and cared forthem.A memorial service

will be held on Feb. 10.at 2 p.m. at the PriceSenior Center located at222 W San Antonio StSan Marcos. Donationsmay be made to CTMCHospice in her name.

•Capture(Continued from page 1A)

•STAAR(Continued from page 1A)

Jami LynnVaught Moore

Elsie JoSpillers Newton

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were briefly placed on “lockout,” according tothe district’s Public Information Officer DaleWhitaker.She said “lockout,” basically means “inside

school operations continue as normal but exte-rior doors were locked and kids that were out-side on recess were brought inside.”Whitaker said the lockout started around 11

and lasted only 10 minutes. “We heard therewas a law enforcement situation,” she said. “Itwas a precautionary measure and we wereworking with limited information.” It ended“when we got more information from theSheriff’s Office that the situation had beenresolved.”Cutler said both suspects were armed. A

handgun that turned out to have been stolen inHays County was recovered from a roadway.The second weapon is still being sought.Both suspects are from southern Travis

County and both have “extensive criminal histo-ries,” the sheriff said. Both are being chargedwith aggravated robbery, evading arrest andfelony possession of a firearm.As of press time, their bonds were not imme-

diately available.Cutler said approximately 30 officers from the

various departments were on the scene, but thereal work was accomplished by Rocky.“I’ll give credit to our K-9,” he said. “He

tracked to the creekbed area. The K-9 took us”to the suspect.The investigation continues. Among other

unresolved questions, Cutler said he doesn’tknow how many shots the two suspects fired.

Grade 4 also outperformed the state in readingand math, with a reading passing rate of 81 percentfor SMCISD students compared to the state averageof 77 percent.SMCISD students posted a 79 passing rate for

math comparted to 68 percent for the state. Writingfor SMCISD students was four points below thestate average.Grade 5 also saw math score increases: 78 per-

cent for SMCISD compared to the 77 percent statepassing rate. Reading was 72 percent SMCISD tothe state average of 77 percent. SMCISD sciencescores were 71 percent to the state’s 73 perent.Grade 6 reading was 71 percent for SMCISD to

the state average of 75 percent, but math scoresincreased with SMCISD at 80 percent the stateaveraging 77 percent.Grade 7 reading was 74 percent to the state’s 76

perent, but the local math passing rate was 76 per-cent to the state’s 71 percent. Writing scores putSMCISD at 68 perent passing to the state’s averagepassing rate of 71 percent.Grade 8 reading scores had SMCISD at 81 per-

cent and the state at 80 percent. Math passingrates were 72 percent compared to the state’s 76perent.The state’s average passing rate in science was

70 perent, while SMCISD came in at 63 percent.Social studies for SMCISD hit 47 perent, while thestate rate was 59 percent.

Assistant DA murderedKAUFMAN (AP) — An assistant district attor-

ney was shot and killed Thursday morning nearthe North Texas courthouse where he worked,and authorities said they were searchingthrough his cases to try to find clues aboutwhy he may have been targeted.Mark Hasse, 57, had exited his vehicle in the

parking lot behind the Kaufman CountyCourthouse annex and was walking toward thebuilding when a masked gunman shot himmultiple times just before 9 a.m., KaufmanCounty authorities said.Hasse was taken away in an ambulance, but

it's unclear if he died at the hospital or enroute.

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Todayin History

The Associated Press

Today is Friday,Feb. 1, the 32nd dayof 2013. There are 333days left in the year.

Today's HighlightOn Feb. 1, 2003, the

space shuttleColumbia broke upduring re-entry, killingall seven of its crewmembers.

On this dateIn 1790, the U.S.

Supreme Court con-vened for the first timein New York. (However,since only three of thesix justices were pres-ent, the court recesseduntil the next day.)In 1861, Texas voted to leave the Union at a

Secession Convention in Austin.In 1862, "The Battle Hymn of the Republic,"

a poem by Julia Ward Howe, was published inthe Atlantic Monthly.In 1922, in one of Hollywood's most enduring

mysteries, movie director William DesmondTaylor was shot to death in his Los Angeleshome; the killing has never been solved.In 1942, the Voice of America broadcast its

first program to Europe, relaying it through thefacilities of the British Broadcasting Corp.In 1943, one of America's most highly deco-

rated military units, the 442nd RegimentalCombat Team, made up almost exclusively ofJapanese-Americans, was authorized.In 1946, Norwegian statesman Trygve Lie

was chosen to be the first secretary-general ofthe United Nations.In 1960, four black college students began a

sit-in protest at a Woolworth's lunch counter inGreensboro, N.C., where they'd been refusedservice.In 1968, during the Vietnam War, South

Vietnam's police chief (Nguyen Ngoc Loan) exe-cuted a Viet Cong officer with a pistol shot tothe head. Richard M. Nixon announced his bidfor the Republican presidential nomination.In 1979, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini

received a tumultuous welcome in Tehran as heended nearly 15 years of exile.

In 1862, "The BattleHymn of the Republic,"a poem by Julia WardHowe, was published inthe Atlantic Monthly.

THE DAILY RECORD, San Marcos, TX., Friday, February 1, 2013 - Page 3A

Trail riders to stop here Monday ontheir way to San Antonio Stock Show

The Greater Randolph Area Trail Riders (GRA-Trails) will arrive indowntown San Marcos on Monday, Feb. 4 between 11:30 a.m. and noonfor their annual stop as they travel to the San Antonio Stock Show &Rodeo. The public is invited to welcome the riders.The inside lanes of North LBJ Drive and San Antonio Street around

the Courthouse Square will be closed from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The trail rid-ers will be escorted by the Hays County Sheriff’s Department.The trail riders are on a weeklong ride to the San Antonio Stock Show

& Rodeo. Their journey starts in Kyle and takes them through Buda,back to San Marcos, then to New Braunfels and Schertz.The Downtown Association and the Main Street Program will host the

riders for lunch at restaurants around the square. Jon and Val Agee willcook their “almost world famous” Dutch oven peach cobbler.Tables and Dutch ovens will be set up on the southeast corner of the

Courthouse Square, and the riders’ horses and wagons will be on theclosed streets adjacent to the Square.

Region 18 Honor Choir membersNine Miller Middle School vocalists were recent-ly chosen to perform in the Region 18 All-Region Honor Choir. Students who made thecut were Leeland Batts, Hatta Misra, BrandonAlvarado, Daniel Pearson, Mihai Lowe, EmmaReinhuber, Darby Fitzjerald, SamanthaSerrano and Sarah Weaver. Miller ChoirDirector Mario Contreras said the vocalists hadpracticed for several weeks for the auditions,

and that the Miller students were chosen overmany others auditioning from much largerschool districts. The Miller students will singwith the Region 18 Choir Concert on Feb. 9.Shown above are Contreras, Pearson, Batts,Alvarado, Weaver, Lowe, Fizjerald, Reinhuber,Misra and Samantha Serrano. (Photo by GraceMueller)

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