AWARENESS Alert!

On Sunday, August 19, a woman jogging in the neighborhood was approached by an unknown man in an older white sedan who attempted to talk her into getting in his car. The man drove off when a neighbor noticed the events and asked the woman if she needed assistance.

Please be alert when exercising in the neighborhood. If you see anything suspicious, be prudent and cautious. Keep your cell phone with you and use it if you feel uncomfortable or threatened. Please report any incidents to the Hays County Sheriff’s Department at 512.393-7896.

The Hidden Springs Ranch Board of Directors

City to Repair Broken Lance

According to Jon Thompson, Dripping Springs’s Development Coordinator, the city will be cutting and patching Broken Lance, and re-grading the culvert near the intersection of Silver Hawk, between now and the end of September (see inset for approximate location). In addition, city roads personnel may be spraying for weeds and sealing cracks along the edge of Broken Lance at the same time.

Neighbors may need to find alternate routes out of the neighborhood while road crews are at work. Please use extra caution while you are in the area and advise your children to stay clear of the road work.

Questions about this announcement can be forwarded to the HOA Administrator or any board member. If you need more information about the specific timing of the road work, contact the City of Dripping Springs at 512.858-4725.

Mosquito Control

Local newscasts have been reporting on outbreaks of West Nile virus in the Austin area. Mosquitos are the primary vector for this virus and, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), prevention is the most effective way to fight the disease. There are simple steps we can take to control the mosquito populations and minimize the risks of contracting this disease:

1. Use insect repellent when you are outdoors.
2. Cover outside vents with a fine mesh to prevent adult mosquitos from entering your home.
3. Eliminate standing water near your homes by making sure yards and culverts are draining properly.
4. Completely replace bird bath and fountain water at least weekly. Use bird-friendly anti-larval tablets (Mosquito Dunks are one example) if you recirculate your fountain water and cannot replace it on a regular basis.
5. Put anti-larval tablets into your aerobic tank at least once per month.

If you would like additional information on preventing West Nile or controlling mosquito populations, see the following publications from the CDC or the American Mosquito Control Association:

• www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/prevention_info.htm
• www.mosquito.org

Hays County Reinstates Burn Ban

The Hays County Commissioners Court on Tuesday reinstated a countywide burn ban.

“Unfortunately, dry weather is continuing and it is no longer safe to allow outdoor burning,” said Fire Marshal Mark Chambers. “On Monday the drought index was 562 and expected to increase. Typically, when the index approaches 575 we look at issuing a burn ban. At that point, fine fuel such as grasses are drying out and dying and are very combustible.”

The ban exempts charcoal and gas grills, but burning in “burn barrels” (even ones with screens on the top) is not allowed.

“If you do use an outdoor grill, please be extremely careful. Never leave your grill unattended and make sure you have a water source nearby in case sparks escape,” Chambers said. “Place your grill away from anything that could catch fire. Triple-check the coals before you dispose of them to ensure no embers are warm.”

Chambers also cautioned residents to avoid parking vehicles on grassy areas since automobile catalytic converters can start fires along the road, and to refrain from tossing cigarettes outside as well – even ones that appear to be out can still be a fire hazard.

Questions about the burn ban can be forwarded to the Hays County Fire Marshal, Mark Chambers, at 512.393-7339 or by email at mchambers@co.hays.tx.us.

Cross Country Team Crisscrossing Neighborhood

The Dripping Springs High School Tiger Cross Country Track Team will be running neighborhood streets Tuesdays and Thursdays between 7:00AM and 8:20AM beginning today, Tuesday, August 14.

Continuing a years-long practice, the Hidden Springs Ranch board of directors once again extended an invitation to the Tiger Cross Country team to use neighborhood streets and walking paths as part of their conditioning training. The team has several dozen members this year who can be found on Meadow Oaks, Shadywood, Broken Lance and Golden Eagle, and along the walking path, during training sessions.

Members are asked to exercise special caution while driving in the neighborhood during these periods.

Questions about this news item can be forwarded to the HOA administrator or to any board member.

School Continues to Use Pavilion Bus Stop

The Dripping Springs ISD Transportation Department confirmed the school will continue to use the Pavilion parking lot for the 2012-13 school year. Parents need to remember to park only in the interior of the lot as the bus will use the outside spaces as the turn-around lane.

If you have questions about this announcement, or would like to volunteer to help manage parking during pick-up and drop-off, please contact the HOA Administrator or any board member.

City to Begin Pruning Trees

The City of Dripping Springs will be identifying trees that need to be pruned to maintain safe, clear rights of way along roads in the neighborhood.  A city roads inspector will in Hidden Springs Ranch in the coming days and will develop recommendations for which, if any, trees need to be pruned to ensure our roads and intersections have clear lines of sight. Should any neighborhood trees need to be trimmed or removed, the City will contact the HOA board before commencing work.

Questions about this story can be forwarded to the HOA board or to the city offices (512.858-4725).