Ex-Kyle firefighter gets probation for theft, abuse

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Published: Wednesday, 26 February 2014 16:32

By Andy Sevilla.

An ex-Kyle firefighter who swindled the city’s fire department out of thousands of dollars was sentenced last week to four years probation, for his two felony convictions of theft and abuse of official capacity. 

Richard Craig Kolls, 39, who once headed the Kyle Fire Department’s (KFD) training division, pleaded guilty to the charges Jan. 9, after first being arrested on the matter in March 2013. 

Rebs oust LBJ in 56-54 thriller

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Published: Saturday, 22 February 2014 00:49

By Moses Leos III

AUSTIN -- Another playoff game, another night of clutch free throw shooting for the Hays boys basketball team. Five free throws from seniors Jacob Rodriguez and Stephen Ayala in the final minute sealed Hays' 56-54 area round upset over LBJ on Friday at Akins Gym.

Hays advances to play in-county rival Dripping Springs in the regional quarterfinal round. Game time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Tuesday at the San Marcos High School Gym. 

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Buda eminent domain battle ends

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Published: Wednesday, 19 February 2014 17:59

By Moses Leos III.

Discrepancies over a homeowners property value kicked off a convoluted legal battle between the city of Buda and resident TJ Higginbotham. The four-year fight finally ended last month. 

Buda will pay $126,590 to run a high-pressure wastewater line through Higginbotham’s property – a far cry from offers made during litigation. 

GUILTY: Hays ESD rep convicted of two felonies

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Published: Wednesday, 19 February 2014 15:54

By Andy Sevilla.

A former Hays/Caldwell Emergency Services District (ESD) No.1 Commissioner is behind bars on abuse of official capacity and misapplication of fiduciary property convictions stemming from a Texas Rangers investigation into 2009 ESD expenditures.

Phillip Pete Ferraz, 59, was found guilty in September of overpaying a construction company by more than $20,000 with ESD money for repairs to district property, and then having that company make improvements to his home in Kyle.