Canyon, New Braunfels boys soccer Celebration of Black teams continue chase for 26-6A crown. History month to be held. PAGE 11A PAGE 3

SUNDAY | FEBRUARY 17, 2019 | HERALD-ZEITUNG.COM

More children in need in Comal County

R A U N B F E W L Population growth, other factors driving a larger pool of kids who require foster care E S N SERIES By Lindsey Carnett ber was 414. Organizations in New Braunfels An upward trend PART The Herald-Zeitung 1 As the county’s population con- and surrounding areas are advo- According to statistics from the Th is is the fi rst of a In 2008, 132 children from tinues to explode, another need is cating more than ever the need for Texas Department of Family and H three-part series. E G R N Comal County were under state growing with it — a need for foster locals to step up to help a growing A T U L D - Z E I guardianship. Last year that num- parents and volunteers. population of children in need. See FOSTER, page 10A MORE PARKING, MORE MONEY Ballots set for May 4 election

By Will Wright The Herald-Zeitung

The filing period for candidates seeking city and school district board seats ended at 5 p.m. Friday – leaving only two contested rac- es on May 4 and all but ensuring new terms for one council member and three school board incumbents. Three candidates each will compete for the District 2 seat on New Braunfels City Coun- Parking spots around Hinman Island Park will be paid parking spaces. MIKALA COMPTON | Herald-Zeitung cil and for two New Braunfels Independent “That means we School District at-large Council backs more river-area paid spots trustee positions. Also are transferring on the May 4 ballot is By Will Wright use at the Elizabeth lots, San Anto- CASHING IN the city’s $120 million the cost of river The Herald-Zeitung nio Street parking and the Hinman bond measure. Island parking areas. There will be more parking avail- ON PARKING Assistant City Manager Kristi management to able for this year’s river recreation CITY COUNCIL Aday said the moves would contin- season, but some will immediately $223,921 District 1 incum- ue increased river revenues, which the users of the pay more this summer after New Amount city made from paid river bent Shane Hines, 37, rebounded in 2018 after the city Braunfels City Council approved parking in 2017. a technical sales repre- extended paid parking days to May facility, which first readings of ordinances updat- sentative, is unopposed 1, raised parking fees at Prince Sol- ing river-area parking rules and $448,463 for his first three-year ms Park, and created paid parking by far and away, fees on Monday. Amount city made from paid river term. District 2 incum- spaces in Elizabeth Avenue lots. The first creates paid parking parking in 2018 after adding spac- bent Justin Meadows, “Raising Prince Solms rates from es, changing rates. are our visitors.” spaces near river entrances off East 38, an insurance agent, $10 to $20, and adding $10 fees San Antonio Street and Hinman is seeking a second collected at the new parking sites, term against challengers Island Drive. The second amends +$111,000 generated $448,463 from parking Bryan Mortenson, 27, the sports-related parking passes Amount of additional revenue pro- Kristi Aday, last year, compared to $223,921 in a teacher, and Krystal for Prince Solms Park. The third jected In 2019 by the city adding PARKING additional paid spaces off East San FILING Assistant City Manager creates a resident parking pass for See , page 6A Antonio and Hinman Island Dr. See , page 9A

LEGISLATURE Biedermann aims to protect monument at Alamo site By Will Wright known as the Spirit of Sacrifice, Today, the six-story Cenotaph legislative oversight for the Ceno- “We do a horrible disservice The Herald-Zeitung commemorates the March 6, is aging and in need of repairs. taph, also known as the empty to Texas by allowing the removal 1836 battle fought at the Alamo. Because that would require dis- tomb of the defenders. AUSTIN – On Friday, State of this important, and uniquely The monument, erected during sembling the statue, along with “All politics aside, the state of Texas monument. I am proud to Rep. Kyle Biedermann, R-Fred- the 1930s, honored the 100th an- proposed renovations for Ala- Texas was shaped by the battle ericksburg, filed House Bill 1836, fight to protect our history and niversary of the battle and bears mo Plaza, some have sought to of the Alamo,” he said. “It is a our Cenotaph.” which he says protects the state’s the names of those who fought relocate the landmark from its historic and important tribute Last week, Biedermann history and preserves the Alamo and died for Texas during its war current home near the Alamo. to that battle and all those who co-sponsored House Bill 1500, complex in San Antonio. for independence against Mexi- Biedermann said his bill, the fifth made the ultimate sacrifice for all The Alamo Cenotaph, also co. he’s filed this session, ensures of us. See MONUMENT, page 9A

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Protective Services, in 2018 there were 63,657 confirmed cases of abuse and neglect in Texas. Approximately 423 of those were in Comal Coun- ty. Eloise Hudson, the com- munity relations coordinator of Court-Appointed Special Advocate — or CASA — of Central Texas, said she’s seen the need growing over the last two years. “Just as kind of this Cen- tral Texas area grows, we have seen the number of children who are coming into CPS grow,” she said. CASA of Central Texas works to serves four counties in the area — Comal, Gua- dalupe, Caldwell and Hays, Hudson said. CASA pairs a volunteer with an abused or neglected child to advocate for the child as he or she goes through the court process. In 2016 CASA of Central Texas served 497 children. In 2018, it served 573 children, Hudson said. “So we went up — serving Children spend time at St. Jude's Ranch for Children in New 100 more children, but we Braunfels on Thursday. MIKALA COMPTON | Herald-Zeitung are still down in percentage population growth any- people are becoming more from last year — last year where, as it grows, the so- aware of what abuse and ne- we served 51 percent of the cial problems come with it,” glect look like. That means children and this year we Rousset said. “In the normal more people are calling it served 49 percent,” Hudson business, growth is fantastic in, said Cheronda Tillman, said. “So we served more … but for us, we really wish Region 8 DFPS rural foster children but the percentage there wasn’t growth in our and adoption recruitment went down because there business … because that just specialist. were just more children who means more kids are being “We’re doing more re- came into the system.” abused.” cruitment efforts in educat- Because of those increased Not one cause ing the general population numbers, there’s a need for Multiple things may be about abuse and neglect, more volunteers than ever leading to the increase in it’s effects, and what it looks before. numbers of children com- like, so just educating the “It’s kind of an uphill bat- ing into the foster system. community and keeping tle for us, but we just kind of Growth in the area is just it in the forefront of their keep working one volunteer one. Life is also becoming minds, it’s likely that height- are more aware of what’s go- ty, TruLight127 is currently that end up sleeping at the at a time,” Hudson said. more stressful, Rousset said. ened awareness providing ing on around them,” Ajasin in the process of building the CPS office,” Ajasin said. Growth is great for a com- Education may also be a encouragement for folks to said. first emergency shelter in the The shelter will be called munity and it’s businesses, contributing factor. actually make those reports,” The growth in numbers county for foster children, “The Village,” and is expect- but this is one area that no- Strawberry Creek Services Tillman said. locally has caused a need for Ajasin said. ed to be finished by April 1. body wants to see growth, is New Braunfels’ first child Sondra Ajasin, founder of more shelters, Ajasin said. “It’s been on our hearts to Next week: A look at the said Tara Rousset, CEO of placement agency specializ- TruLight127 Foster & Adopt Because of this growth spe- do this for a while because process and the problems St. Jude’s Ranch for Children ing in licensing local families Ministries, said she feels cifically in Guadalupe Coun- we see the amount of kids foster children face. – Texas. for fostering and adopting. It the media has a vital role in SJRC is a nonprofit that opened in September. helping spread awareness to offers dozens of services for “I mean when a popula- people so kids can be helped. children or families who tion grows, you’re going to TruLight127 Foster & have been affected by trau- have a higher number (of Adopt Ministries is located ma, abuse or neglect, includ- kids) naturally, … but peo- in Guadalupe County and is ing housing foster children. ple just didn’t know about it a nonprofit contracted with Its campuses are located as much and they’re maybe DFPS to license families for in New Braunfels and Bul- starting to,” Natalie Motl, fostering and adopting. verde, and it has an office in Assistant Director at Straw- “I think since the news has San Antonio. berry Creek Services said. kind of picked up more high- “So of course with any Public education means lighting these things, people The Herald-Zeitung Community is read everywhere! is what matters. UTILITY BILL ASSISTANCE Did you know you can help customers in our community who are experiencing extreme hardship and are in financial need? Please consider donating!

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New Braunfelsers traveling with Great Getaway Tours, visit Ellis Island, NY. Back row from left: Dinah Burgin, Jay & Gerri Cooper, Allison Scacco, Sherry Wooley, Vicki Amen, Karen Bumbernick. Front row from left: Lisa Munden, Audrey Schroeder, Donna Williams, Camille Albus, Jennifer Are you or someone you know Amen, Ginny Eanes, Diane Worley, Blanche Pape, Susie Bain. experiencing a financial hardship and Vacation Photo Contest could use assistance in paying your Take a vacation. Take a copy of the Herald-Zeitung. Take a photo. utility bill? We may be able to help. It’s Easy to Enter • Take a photo of friends or family reading the Herald-Zeitung at the most recognizable landmark on your vacation. Be sure to tag us when you post it on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram at @newbraunfelshz • E-mail your photo (preferred), along with the location it was shot and the names of the people pictured, to [email protected] or mail to 549 Landa St., New Braunfels,TX 78130. • A panel of judges selected by the Herald-Zeitung will choose the three most memorable vacation photos submitted by Sept. 1. Winners will be announced the last Sunday of September. • Each photo submitted entitles the Herald-Zeitung to publish the photo for promotional purposes. Photos will only run in the paper one time — no resubmissions will be published or eligible for the contest. Limit of five photos per person per year.

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