Zach Wilson brought the Jets back, but it wasn’t enough as the Chiefs did just enough to escape with a 23-20 victory. The Chiefs moved to 3-1, while the Jets fell to 1-3.
With Aaron Rodgers and Taylor Swift among the stars in the house Sunday night, Patrick Mahomes and Isiah Pacheco led the Chiefs to a field goal after the Jets tied the game 20-20 on the first drive of the second half. Harrison Butker’s 26-yard kick with 10:51 remaining ended up being the deciding points.
It was the 250th regular-season win for Chiefs coach Andy Reid, tying him with Tom Landry for the fourth most in NFL history.
Kansas City finished with 401 total yards, with Pacheco contributing 158.
Mahomes completed 18 of 30 passes for 203 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. It was not one of his best days, but it was good enough. He rushed for 53 yards on five carries and passed Alex Smith (1,672) for the most rushing yards by a quarterback in team history.
Mahomes’ biggest run came with two minutes left when he scrambled for 9 yards on third-and-eight from the Jets 11 before sliding down. With the Jets out of timeouts, Mahomes took two kneel downs to end it.
The Chiefs ran out the final 7:24 with seven first downs and 53 yards, but the Jets were incensed about a defensive holding call on Sauce Gardner with 4:19 left. It negated an interception by Michael Carter and handed the Chiefs a first down after failing on a third-and-20 play.
The Jets, though, will rue all the chances they didn’t take advantage of.
Wilson’s only turnover — a fumble when he took his eyes off the snap that Tershawn Wharton recovered — was the final offensive play for the Jets. It came with the Jets driving, facing a second-and-nine at the Kansas City 49.
Wilson was 28-of-39 for 245 yards and two touchdowns, and Breece Hall ran for 56 yards on six carries.
The Kansas City Chiefs survived a full-game battle with the New York Jets to win 23-20 at MetLife Stadium on Sunday. Here’s what you need to know:
Jets players console Zach Wilson after Sunday night’s loss…
Kansas City rides Pacheco
In a weird and wild game, the most reliable part of the Chiefs’ offense was running back Isiah Pacheco, the second-year player who performed in his home state of New Jersey for the first time in his NFL career. Pacheco was effective as a rusher and a receiver. He entered the game coming off his best performance of the young season.
In last week’s win over the Chicago Bears, Pacheco had 78 all-purpose yards on 17 touches, including his first touchdown. Against the Jets, Pacheco recorded 158 all-purpose yards. His biggest highlight was a 48-yard touchdown run in the first quarter.
With Mahomes and the offensive line struggling to pass protect in the second and third quarter, a positive for the Chiefs is that they countered with a efficient ground attack, one that can help the offense be malleable and balanced throughout the season. — Taylor
I spoke with Travis Kelce walking off the field tonight and he was not happy. He was pissed off about the offense. He mentioned penalties and mistakes were costly and they did nothing to help the defense tonight. It was a win but not how they wanted.
The Jets offense ran out of steam in the second half after ending the first half on fire — especially Wilson — but ultimately couldn’t close out what would’ve been a monumental upset for a team that had lost a lot of hope since Aaron Rodgers went down. Ultimately, Wilson’s fumble proved to be the most consequential mistake the Jets made in the fourth quarter, though they weren’t helped by the officials.
Gardner was questionably flagged for holding on a play where the Jets intercepted Mahomes. It was called back and then the Chiefs eased their way up the field.
Despite the loss, this is the first sign of promise Wilson showed since Rodgers got hurt. If Wilson can play like this in the coming weeks, the Jets can stay competitive. If he reverts back to form, it will be a long season. At the least, Wilson has earned at least one more week to be their starting quarterback. — Rosenblatt
Kansas City defense did just enough
The Chiefs’ defense didn’t have a statement-like performance against the Jets, but the unit did enough in the final quarter to help the team escape MetLife Stadium with a victory. New York’s offense found its groove in the second and third quarters, erasing a 17-point deficit to tie the game, 20-20, midway in the third quarter. In the lone drive of the fourth quarter, the Chiefs captured their only takeaway, a fumble recovery by defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton, who fell on the ball after Wilson botched the snap from the shotgun.
Overall, the Chiefs’ defense did enough, as the unit surrendered 18 points and sacked Wilson twice. Mike Edwards, the Chiefs’ third, rotational safety, had an impressive performance with four tackles, a sack and a pass breakup to end the Jets’ drive late in the third quarter. — Taylor
It had been such a good night for Zach Wilson until this…
With his first-quarter touchdown pass to Noah Gray, Mahomes reached 200 career touchdown passes in 89 games, faster than any other quarterback in NFL history.
The Kansas City Chiefs earned their second win of the 2023 season against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, leaving no doubt about which team on the field was a true contender.
While Chicago was completely overwhelmed in the game, Kansas City managed to outshine the presence of country music superstar Taylor Swift, who attended the game in box seats courtesy of All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce.
Wins like the one the Chiefs secured against the Bears don’t come easy, even if they come against the team that held the first overall pick in April’s draft. A multitude of Kansas City’s players turned out spectacular performances to make the 41-10 result possible, and their efforts shouldn’t go unnoticed, even if Swift’s attendance stole the show in the media.
Check out some of the Chiefs’ top performers from Week 3 below to see who impressed in Kansas City’s dominant blowout win over Chicago on Sunday:
QB Patrick Mahomes
Cheryl Evans-USA TODAY Sports
Mahomes earned himself an early exit from this matchup, putting together an impressive performance that was more befitting of a reigning MVP than his first two games of the season.
He ended the game with 24 completed passes on 33 attempts for 272 yards and three touchdowns.
DE Mike Danna
(Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images)
Danna managed to sack Bears quarterback Justin Fields in this matchup and further established himself as a key cog in Kansas City’s defensive machine. If he can build off of this performance heading into the middle part of the Chiefs’ schedule, Danna could blossom into one of Kansas City’s top pass rushers before the season’s end.
TE Travis Kelce
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Taylor Swift’s attendance for this game necessitated a strong showing from Kelce, and the veteran tight end didn’t disappoint. He ended his day with seven catches on eight targets and managed to score his first touchdown of the new campaign.
LB Drue Tranquill
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Tranquill led Kansas City in tackling and managed to tally half a sack in the Chiefs’ win over the Bears. With star linebacker Nick Bolton out due to injury, Kansas City’s defense didn’t miss a beat with Tranquill’s tenacious play to buoy their efforts.
RB Isiah Pacheco
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
After only being used sparingly in Kansas City’s first two games, Isiah Pacheco got 15 carries against the Bears. He made the most of every opportunity he was given, averaging more than four yards per carry and scoring a touchdown in the game.
CB Trent McDuffie
(AP Photo/Matt York)
McDuffie is quickly becoming one of the most important pieces of the Chiefs’ defense and put together a sensational performance against Chicago. He forced a fumble that helped keep Kansas City in the driver’s seat and was the Chiefs’ second-leading tackler.
RB Jerick McKinnon
(Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
Though other backs got more work in the ground game, Jerick McKinnon’s work as a receiver was among the most impressive aspects of this matchup. He scored two receiving touchdowns and gained a total of 28 yards split between two carries and three catches.
DL Chris Jones
(AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Chris Jones has wasted no time getting involved in Kansas City’s defense after missing the Chiefs’ Week 1 matchup against the Lions. He managed to accrue his second sack of the season in this game and looked as dominant as ever against the Bears’ beleaguered offensive line.
WR Rashee Rice
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Rice came remarkably close to scoring two touchdowns against Chicago and was a reliable target for Patrick Mahomes in the red zone. The rookie receiver has proven to be worth the second-round pick that Kansas City invested in him back in April and may see his role grow in the coming weeks.
DB Mike Edwards
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Edwards might not get as much playing time as some of the other members of Kansas City’s secondary, but his interception against the Bears proved that he can make an impact for the Chiefs when his number is called.
Barlow set the former
Cage Fury Fighting Championships titleholder on rubbery legs
with a clubbing left hand and swarmed with punches and knees before
pinning his reeling opponent to the fence. More punches followed
before a final left hook to the body prompted referee Mark Smith to
call for the stoppage.
The once-beaten Silva rode savage punching combinations, concussive
standing elbows and an unshakable will to a unanimous decision over
Start BJJ’s Pacheco in a memorable three-round firefight at 145
pounds. All three members of the cageside judiciary scored it the
same: 30-27 for Silva (8-1, 1-0 DWCS).
Neither man gave ground without considerable resistance, as they
combined to land more than 400 significant strikes across 15
minutes. However, Silva connected with the more impactful blows. He
floored the Brock Larson
disciple with a stinging left hook in the first round, doubled him
over with a wicked left hook to the body in the second and refused
to take his foot off the gas. Pacheco returned fire in admirable
bursts but lacked the oomph necessary to give his relentless
counterpart true pause. Silva emptied his gas tank and tool box,
unleashing everything from spinning back elbows upstairs to
hammerfists to the thigh. By the time it was over, Pacheco’s left
ear appeared to be partially separated from his head and his face
bore multiple cuts and abrasions.
The loss closed the book on Pacheco’s three-fight winning
streak.
De Oliveira (19-3, 1-0 DWCS) carved up the Mad Dogs MMA rep with
brutal kicks to the lower leg, a variety of body kicks and clean
counters. Madrigal backed him to the fence, fired his hands and
paid the price for his lack of attention to defense. De Oliveira
connected with a savage left hook, sending his opponent crashing to
the canvas stiff and unconscious. No follow-up shots were
required
It was the 14th finish of de Oliveira’s career.
Finally, Kareckaite outstruck and outhustled the previously
unbeaten Judice to a split decision in a frenetic three-round
battle at 125 pounds. All three cageside judges submitted 29-28
scorecards, two of them for Lithuania’s Kareckaite (5-0-1, 1-0
DWCS).
Judice (3-1, 0-1 DWCS), a former college softball player, handled
herself well in all phases despite her lack of combat sports
experience. However, she could not match the former Hexagone MMA
champion’s non-stop output. Kareckaite unleashed three-, four- and
five-punch volleys, performed well in the clinch, countered
effectively and mixed in sneaky kicks to the head and body in a
non-stop 15-minute sprint.
Kareckaite, 25, has rattled off three straight victories.
In other action, Alexander
Soldatkin (14-4, 0-1 DWCS) was disqualified for an illegal knee
strike on a grounded Mario
Piazzon (8-0, 1-0 DWCS) just 20 seconds into the third round of
their heavyweight confrontation.
The other Top 100 prospect to be drafted was Red Sox outfielder Miguel Bleis (#73 on the BA Top 100), who missed most of the year after having shoulder surgery and was drafted in the third round.
Other notable prospects who heard their names called include:
– Dodgers catching prospect Thayron Liranzo, who slugged 24 doubles and 24 home runs in just 94 games with Low-A Rancho Cucamonga
-Orioles catching prospect Samuel Basallo, who spent all of 2022 in the Florida Complex League but raced from Low-A to Double-A this season, clubbing 25 doubles and 20 home runs in 111 games entering play Wednesday.
– Cubs shortstop Jefferson Rojas, who was jumped to Low-A Myrtle Beach after just one game in the Arizona Complex League. He hit 14 doubles and seven home runs in 70 games.
– Astros outfielder Luis Baez, Orioles lefthander Luis De Leon and Red Sox righthander Yordanny Monegro, all of whom made this year’s list of the 20 best prospects in the Florida Complex League.
Round 1 Leones — Junior Caminero (Rays) Toros — Thayron Liranzo (Dodgers) Estrellas — Jansel Luis (D-backs) Gigantes — Carlos Jorge (Reds) Aguilas — Rafael Morel (Cubs) Licey — Samuel Basallo (Orioles)
Round 3 Leones — Josue De Paula (Dodgers) Toros — Allan Castro (Red Sox) Estrellas — Miguel Bleis (Red Sox) Gigantes — Jefferson Rojas (Cubs) Aguilas — Jose Devers (Guardians) Licey — Cristian Hernandez (Cubs)
Round 4 Leones — Luis De Leon (Orioles) Toros — Stalin Polanco (Pirates) Estrellas — Christopher Familia (Yankees) Gigantes — Enmanuel Terrero (Pirates) Aguilas — Wilfredo Lara (Mets) Licey — Michael Arias (Cubs)
Danny Barlow reacts after his TKO victory over Raheam Forest in a welterweight fight during Dana White’s Contender Series season seven, week eight at UFC APEX on September 26, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Dana White’s Contender Series Season 7, Week 8 Recap
Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) Season 7, Week 8 was one of the best in the history of the show. The event resulted in two of the best fights in the history of the series and two incredible first-round knockouts. In fairness, one of the bouts was terrible, but neither fighter earned a contract so we can pretend like it never happened.
At the end of the night, UFC CEO Dana White handed out six contracts. Yes, SIX contracts! The four impressive winners all earned a contract along with two losers. Typically, losers do not get contracts, but if you lose in one of the best fights in DWCS history, White makes exceptions.
Now, it is time to evaluate which fighters have the highest potential in the UFC. This is not a direct reflection of their DWCS performance; rather, it is a projection of how they will perform in the UFC.
Danny Barlow (Welterweight)
Danny “LeftHand2God” Barlow looked outstanding in his DWCS bout. No, that is not a typo. Barlow’s nickname is actually LeftHand2God. After watching his fight, it’s a pretty fitting nickname. Barlow put his left hand to good use as he knocked out Raheam Forest in the first round.
Despite getting the job done quickly, Barlow showed a lot of great traits. That begins with his athleticism. It is rare that MMA fighters are this athletic. That athleticism is combined with a 6-foot-2 frame and 80-inch reach.
Barlow uses his athleticism and length to land his left hand from the southpaw stance. That shot comes straight down the pipe and it lands hard. If that was not enough, he landed it as a perfectly timed countershot on one occasion Once he had Forest on the ropes, he used his length and power to throw a left to the body to finish the fight. It was a great display of striking.
It is also worth noting that Barlow looked good in the clinch. Once he had Forest wobbled, he went to the clinch to land knees and dirty box. Those are both solid finishing tactics and it was nice to see the depth of his skill set.
Barlow also deserves respect for taking out legitimate competition. Forest is a solid opponent and may break into the UFC down the line. Barlow was not crushing a can in this bout.
I am excited to see Barlow transition to the UFC. At 28, he has a lot of time on his hands. The upside is there as well. I think Barlow needs to reel in his skills. It would suit him to be more technical. That is not to say he is not technical, but he could take a step forward in that aspect. Regardless, talent, athleticism, and power are present. As of right now, I would classify Barlow as one of the top prospects for this season. At worst, I would place him in the top three.
Vinicius Oliveira (Bantamweight)
Vinicius Oliveira was the other fighter to get a first-round finish on DWCS. Oliveira brutally knocked out Victor Madrigal to earn a UFC contract.
Now THAT is how you kick off an episode #DWCS! @lokdogvinicius came for a contract tonight 👊
Oliveira is the definition of a fun striker. This guy throws with knockout intentions and he has a variety of flashy weapons in his bag. The most evident was his spinning wheel kick.
Oliveira showed some positives from a technical perspective too. I was impressed with his stance-switching and liked how he utilized angles to land punches.
This is usually the part of the post when I explain that Oliveira beat up a horrible fighter, fights too aggressively and will be hit with counterstrikes in the UFC. That is true, but I think he can make it work.
Oliveira has a lot of red flags that I do not like in DWCS prospects. I am going to set them aside in this instance. The main reason for that is that Oliveira has more accuracy and power than most fighters with that type of style. It also felt like he had a better process and was a touch smarter than comparable fighters.
This season of DWCS has quite a few entertaining fighters that appear to be wild cards. I think this is the wild card that I am most optimistic about. In the bantamweight division, it looks like his power will be a serious threat and he showed solid traits alongside his wildness.
I would classify Oliveira as a high-upside and low-floor prospect who could eventually work his way into the rankings.
Danny Silva earned his DWCS contract by going to war with Angel Pacheco. This bout was one of the best fights in DWCS history. To summarize the bout, Silva and Pacheco stood directly in each other’s faces while throwing combinations to the head and body. It was pure madness for 15 minutes.
This fight was so insane that White opted to give both fighters contracts; however, neither fighter was in attendance when that was announced because they were both transported to the hospital. It was that type of fight.
At the end of the fight, Silva was rightfully deemed the winner. The power shots were to his advantage and he did much more damage.
I am not sure what to make of Silva. It is hard to gauge how talented a fighter is in a war. I am not sure this will consistently be his fighting style. I do think he has great cardio, good power and a decent mix of boxing with elbows.
I am not overly high on Silva. It does not help that we did not see him kick or grapple. Still, I have a hard time projecting him as a great UFC fighter. At 26-years-old, I do not like his current abilities or potential upside. I think he can use his physical tools to get UFC wins, but it is hard to see him make a run toward the rankings.
Carli Judice (Women’s Flyweight)
Carli Judice and Ernesta Karackaite had an all-time great fight of their own on DWCS. I think one of these two fighters was throwing a strike from the second this fight started to the moment it ended. At the end of the fight, these two combined to land over 350 significant strikes. That is an absurd amount.
Karackaite was ruled the winner, but I actually have Judice ranked higher. In fairness, Judice and Karackaite have virtually equal chances to make an impact in the UFC so we are splitting hairs.
I prefer Judice because she was the fighter who landed the powerful strikes. I also thought she was attempting to be more educated while Karackaite was just trying to throw as much as humanly possible.
Judice also showed some good clinch striking and made the decision to attack in the clinch. I view those as positives.
Ultimately, I am giving Judice the benefit of the doubt because she has had a lot going against her. At this point, she has practically no experience, she is 23-years-old with a 3-0 record and has only been training for two-and-a-half years. If that was not enough, she took this fight on a week’s notice. Those are all factors that lead me to believe she will improve in the UFC.
I am not positive that Judice will be a great UFC fighter. I am willing to bet she will struggle. In all honesty, it would not have killed her to get more experience. If she can ride out the initial rough waves, she may find success down the road.
Ernesta Kareckaite (Women’s Flyweight)
Let’s flip over to Kareckaite. Despite her being victorious on DWCS, I am less optimistic about her UFC future.
I’ll start with the positives. Karackaite did show unrealistic cardio and an iron chin. It is crazy that she was not hurt at any moment in this bout. It is even crazier she did not get tired from constantly throwing strikes and walking forward.
My biggest issue with Kareckaite is her size. I usually speak glowingly about lengthy fighters. I cannot this time. Kareckaite is 5-foot-9 and brutally thin. I am not sure how she will defend a takedown. Obviously, we have seen skinny fighters utilize their size in the past, but she has nearly no muscle. I do not think she will be able to grapple at a UFC level.
I also find it unrealistic that Kareckaite will manage to throw north of 300 strikes every time she fights. That is just unrealistic. On top of that, the volume and power did not wear on Judice as much as you would expect.
Personally, I think Kareckaite’s DWCS performance will be deemed as more of an outlier than a consistent outcome. That sounds strange considering she is only 25-years-old.
Nevertheless, I doubt she can fight that like in the UFC.
DWCS Season 7, Week 8 ends with Pacheco. As we discussed, Pacheco was one-half an absurd fight which earned him a contract.
Pachedo has a hall-of-fame-worthy chin. I have no idea how he managed to stay on his feet for three rounds. Pacheco has more chin and toughness than a good portion of the UFC roster. That can not be disputed.
The issue with Pacheco is that we learned he had an absurd chin and a massive heart. Ideally, I’d prefer prospects not to get the crap beat out of them for three rounds and earn a contract because they were tough.
I just do not see UFC-level skill with Pacheco. This is mainly because his defense is atrocious. I could only imagine what a quality featherweight striker would do to him. The only way Pacheco will ever win a UFC fight is if his opponent gasses out while hitting him in the face.
BOTTOM LINE: The Los Angeles Angels host the Detroit Tigers on Friday to open a three-game series.
Los Angeles has a 35-37 record in home games and a 68-79 record overall. The Angels rank fourth in the majors with 210 total home runs, averaging 1.4 per game.
Detroit is 35-36 on the road and 67-79 overall. The Tigers are 49-13 in games when they have more hits than their opponents.
The matchup Friday is the fourth time these teams match up this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Randal Grichuk has 25 doubles, two triples, 14 home runs and 41 RBI for the Angels. Luis Rengifo is 13-for-33 with a double and four home runs over the past 10 games.
Matt Vierling has 16 doubles, three triples, nine home runs and 37 RBI for the Tigers. Spencer Torkelson is 12-for-40 with a double and four home runs over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Angels: 4-6, .219 batting average, 3.86 ERA, outscored by 14 runs
Tigers: 5-5, .231 batting average, 3.13 ERA, outscored opponents by four runs
INJURIES: Angels: Luis Rengifo: 60-Day IL (biceps), Mike Moustakas: day-to-day (wrist), Shohei Ohtani: day-to-day (oblique), Mickey Moniak: day-to-day (back), Jaime Barria: 15-Day IL (hamstring), Chase Silseth: 7-Day IL (head), Mike Trout: 10-Day IL (hand), Anthony Rendon: 60-Day IL (shin), C.J. Cron: 10-Day IL (back), Sam Bachman: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Jo Adell: 60-Day IL (oblique), Taylor Ward: 60-Day IL (face), Gio Urshela: 60-Day IL (pelvis), Austin Warren: 60-Day IL (elbow), Jose Quijada: 60-Day IL (elbow), Chris Rodriguez: 60-Day IL (shoulder)
Tigers: Matt Manning: 15-Day IL (foot), Riley Greene: 10-Day IL (elbow), Andrew Vasquez: 15-Day IL (calf), Mason Englert: 15-Day IL (hip), Tyler Alexander: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Matthew Boyd: 60-Day IL (elbow), Freddy Pacheco: 60-Day IL (elbow), Austin Meadows: 60-Day IL (anxiety), Casey Mize: 60-Day IL (elbow)
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
DRIPPING SPRINGS — Residents have been voicing their concerns about a proposed music venue in Dripping Springs/southwest Austin, but they may feel some relief as the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) announced that it will host a second public meeting on the development.
Requested by state Sen. Donna Campbell, the public meeting will be regarding a proposed wastewater and water quality land application permit submitted by Blizexas LLC, which is a California-based developer who wants to build a 5,000-seat music venue off Fitzhugh Road.
“I filed a request with TCEQ to schedule another public hearing because my office was contacted by an overwhelming number of residents impacted by the proposed Fitzhugh venue,” said Sen. Campbell. “In addition to the outpouring of residents’ comments, the permit for the venue was filed incorrectly and for the sake of government transparency, it was necessary for another public meeting to address the Fitzhugh venue. TCEQ publicized and mailed the first notice in English only. The notices are to be printed in English and Spanish.”
The permit proposes to authorize the disposal of treated wastewater at a volume not to exceed a daily average flow of 12,000 gallons per day via subsurface drip irrigation system with a minimum area of 2.75 acres of public access land, according to TCEQ. While no action will be taken by TCEQ on the permit application, the meeting will be an opportunity for community members to come forward to ask questions, voice concerns and formally comment.
“Opportunities for public input are always welcome. TCEQ will have the opportunity to hear the concerns of affected parties. Citizens will have the opportunity to ask questions of TCEQ and the applicant,” said Annalisa Peace, executive director of the Greater Edwards Aquifer Alliance (GEAA). “Issues covered in comments from the public can be considered and can determine the outcome of the contested case process on this permit.”
“I am glad that they’re going to do it. I think the first time around, a lot of people were not that familiar with the project and the implications,” said Kevin Fleming, a concerned resident and member of the Stop Fitzhugh Concert Venue Coalition, referencing TCEQ’s first public meeting on the venue that occurred in November 2022. “And so I’m glad Sen. Campbell requested a [second] meeting so that you can fully understand what they’re developing. I think it’ll get some facts out on the table.”
Sen. Campbell said that she hopes that members of the public will show up to the meeting and let their voices be heard. Though she is not against development, she believes that everyone should be “cognizant of the diminishing supply of water for current residents and the erasing of the Hill Country landscape due to growth.”
“This is your opportunity to let your opinions and voices be heard on this development, as there may not be another chance. Developers are flocking to the Hill Country and will continue to buy land in the county to build compact subdivisions and venues that may not be in the best interest of the people living near there,” she said. “The developers and TCEQ will never know your thoughts if you don’t attend these public hearings and speak up. On the flip side, I would encourage residents to be willing to work with the developer towards a compromise if that is a viable option for the health and safety of affected residents near this, or any, development.”
With one of the major concerns of the project being wastewater and the environmental impact, Fleming hopes that the meeting will “clearly identify the risks of a development of this density,” especially because Barton Creek is nearby. Because he lives adjacent to the creek, Fleming is worried that the availability of water resources could be restricted if the venue was built.
“If they drain down the aquifer with their water usage, the runoff will be disastrous to the creek. One of the prized possessions of Central Texas is Barton Creek. And it’s just not very far from it,” he said. “They’re going to park a couple of thousand cars and all the oil from those cars will end up somewhere. Is there water quality? Is it going to be properly cleaned before it gets into the creek? I don’t think it is based upon what I saw. I think it’s going to make its way into the creek. [In] the wastewater system that they have proposed, it’s really hard to tell what they really have planned.”
“They say it’s a 5,000-seat amphitheater. Well, I don’t know if they’re going to add restaurants and other uses to this that could compound the wastewater usage on-site, and how that’s going to be taken care of on-site with filtration ponds or whatever they’ve got,” Fleming continued. “If it starts to have an overflow or discharge, that’s not completely 100% contained on their site and it gets down to the creek, that will be a devastating wastewater impact on the creek.”
The GEAA agreed that the proximity of the development — approximately half of a mile — to Barton Creek, coupled with a 150-foot elevation difference between the higher drip fields and the lower Barton Creek location create the potential for nutrient pollution for this segment of the creek, according to comments submitted to TCEQ. The alliance also stated that the soil in the area is thin and not capable of adequate effluent absorption, especially during rainy periods when the ground is already saturated.
“Pollution from stormwater and treated sewage runoff could have substantial downstream impacts on Barton Creek,” added GEAA Technical Director Mike Clifford.
Like many residents and members of the community, GEAA does not agree that the rural tract should be developed into a music venue as it is currently proposed.
“The project is totally inappropriate for this site,” Peace said.
Other concerns that have been raised include: added noise that could be damaging to nearby residents and wildlife; the natural beauty of the Texas dark skies that could be threatened by light pollution; and additional traffic on the narrow and winding Fitzhugh Road that could potentially lead to longer daily commutes for drivers and delays for emergency service vehicles to travel to residents and people in need.
“Since living in our little cabin, we have seen an increased amount of traffic, including semis, construction vehicles and cars. The stop sign at the corner of Fitzhugh and Trautwein is not visible to oncoming traffic. We are also concerned that Fitzhugh is a windy two-lane country road with double yellow lines through most of the road. In addition, Fitzhugh has no shoulders and there are still several residential properties,” said Sharon Thiede, who lives at Crumley Ranch Road and Fitzhugh Road. “I believe if this venue is built, it will result in more accidents and decrease our property values. Another point of contention is our environment. Since living in our cute log cabin, I have seen a decrease in butterflies, birds and hummingbirds.”
“Everybody relishes in the Hill Country because of what it is. It’s an unbelievable [and] beautiful setting. I know there’s very little regulatory [authority], but the noise is going to drive the animals away. And the light from this is going to drive the animals away,” Fleming said. “We’re adjacent to the Shield Ranch, who’s built their outdoor venue for kids and people to come experience the outdoors. This is going to blast right up and down on Friday and Saturdays, and I daresay it will have a huge negative impact on what they have been trying to do, which is preserve land in Travis County and Hays County and have a sanctuary of some sort for people to go to. This will impact it in the worst way.”
TCEQ has not announced when the second public meeting will be held, but it is anticipated to take place before the end of the year.
In addition to TCEQ’s meeting, Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra announced that there will be a community forum held about the proposed venue from 7-9 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 2 at Dripping Springs Ranch Park, located at 1042 Event Center Dr. in Dripping Springs. Becerra will be accompanied by Travis County Commissioner Ann Howard, Hays County Chief of Staff Alex Villalobos, Hays County Fire Marshal Mark Wobus, Director of Development Services Marcus Pacheco and Hays County General Counsel Tucker Furlow.
