A look back at the first three months of 2020
Editor’s note: This story is the first installment of a four-part series looking back at the year that was — 2020.
This year began without suspicion that it would be one unlike any other. From a global pandemic, civil-rights protests and a contentious general election, the Daily Record takes a look back at a historic year.
January
The year began as it normally does in San Marcos with the annual polar plunge — a nice dip into the 72-degree river during the winter. On Jan. 5, the San Marcos Ethics Commission moved to call a public hearing after a complaint was made against councilmember Dr. Joca Marquez, regarding social media posts. After a December 2019 shooting at Harper’s bar, the San Marcos Police Department made an arrest on Jan. 10. Vincent Charles Favata III was charged with two counts of assault with a deadly weapon/discharge of a firearm. The San Marcos Fire Department broke ground on a much-anticipated fire station #2 on Jan. 17. The newest fire station will be located in the La Cima neighborhood. On Jan. 21, the Associated Press reported the first case of a “mysterious Chinese illness” recorded in the U.S. On Jan. 25, an auction was held at Centerpoint Station — a San Marcos staple restaurant and boutique — after it closed in late 2019. Hays County joined a lawsuit in late January against the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Kinder Morgan for violation of the Endangered Species Act in connection with the Permian Highway Pipeline — one of many actions taken against the construction of the pipeline.
February
The hospital formerly known as Central Texas Medical Center announced on Feb. 3 that CHRISTUS Health purchased it from AdventHealth. It has since been rebranded as CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital - San Marcos. After many years of work, a part of State Highway 21 — stretching from State Highway 80 to Yarrington Road — was dedicated to U.S. Army Pfc. Kristian Menchaca on Feb. 4. Menchaca graduated from Gary Job Corps and was killed in Baghdad, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Jason Pence, a former City of San Marcos construction manager, was arrested on Feb. 13 on charges of theft by a public servant more than $30,000 but less than $150,000 after an investigation by the Texas Rangers found that he misused city funds. In mid February, a District Court Judge denied an injunction that was the start of a lawsuit by Hays County, the Texas Real Estate Advocacy and Defense Coalition and multiple other counties, cities, districts and property owners, clearing the way for construction to begin on the Permian Highway Pipeline. A capital murder trial began on Feb. 25 in the case of Krystle Villanueva, who was accused of killing her 5-year-old daughter, Giovanna Hernandez, in Kyle in January 2017. On Feb. 26, San Marcos Consolidated ISD sent out a letter telling families that it was monitoring the outbreak of the coronavirus — COVID-19.
March
On March 3, Hays County residents took to the polls to vote in the Democratic and Republican primaries. During its March 3 meeting, the San Marcos City Council began public discussion regarding a Cite and Release program, which allows police officers to use discretion on whether to issue a citation or arrest for certain low-level, non-violent offense. The council showed substantial agreement on moving forward with cite and release but did not come to a consensus if it would be best to enact it as a resolution or an ordinance. The city, alongside Hays County, began meeting to prepare a coordinated effort to address COVID-19. On March 5, Villanueva was found guilty on all charges for the murder of her 5-year-old daughter. City Councilmember Marquez announced her resignation from office on March 9, citing new employment.
On March 12, coronavirus cancellations took hold in San Marcos. Texas State University announced that it would extend its spring break two weeks and would move to remote classes until April 12. SMCISD canceled all of its extracurricular activities — the University Interscholastic League quickly postponed all extracurricular activities. The Sun Belt Conference canceled both its men’s and women’s basketball postseason tournaments, which Texas State was scheduled to play in.
The first presumptive COVID-19 in Hays County was announced on March 14. The City of San Marcos and Hays County quickly announced a joint State of Disaster the following day. Later that week, SMCISD and San Marcos Academy suspended normal operations through April 5.
San Marcos announced an order closing bars and nightclubs, and prohibited gatherings of 10 or more to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on March 15.
On March 19, Gov. Greg Abbott ordered schools closed statewide until at least April 3. He also shutdown bars; restaurants, except for to-go orders; and gyms. Texas State announced it would move its classes to remote throughout the remainder of the spring semester. The university also moved its spring commencement ceremonies to August.
On March 24, SMPD Officer Paul Beller was struck by a vehicle on Interstate 35 near northbound exit 205. He was transported to a trauma facility.
Hays County, which was hoping to avoid placing drastic orders in place, issued a stay-at-home order on March 25. Meanwhile, the city and Texas State closed its respective river parks to the public.
At the end of March, the Hays County Local Health Department reported 16 COVID-19 cases but warned of community spread.
Coming later this week:
Tuesday: April-June
Wednesday: July-September
Thursday: October-December
ncastillo
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