LATEST NEWS

The Hays County Food Bank is set to upsize operations and innovate its service model with a move to a new, larger facility early next year. According to CBS Austin, the move is prompted by the growing need in the community and the limitations of their current aging space. This new setup is expected to greatly enhance the distribution of essential food items in the face of increasing demand.

As Central Texas grapples with the impacts of drought, cities across Travis, Williamson, and Hays counties have been compelled to enforce varied water restrictions to conserve dwindling resources. According to a report from KVUE, these restrictions range from Stage 1 to Stage 4, depending on the severity of drought conditions in each area.

HAYS COUNTY, Texas — The Hays County Food Bank is moving to a new location that is set to open early next year. The move will give the food bank more space and allow them to open a new client choice model. “I always say the angels fly with...

Hays County District Clerk Avrey Anderson, resigned from his office on Friday, July 5 following pressure to step down or face removal from office. Anderson growing criticism a petition to remove him from the office for an alleged failure in his leadership to effectively manage the office of District Clerk for Hays County government.

The longest ongoing rodeo in Hays County wrapped up its annual Fourth of July celebration this past weekend. The 78th Annual Wimberley VFW Rodeo is a celebration of both the birth of the United States of America and the sport of rodeo. Hundreds of Cowboys and cowgirls from across Texas and even out of state competed in three days of competition with the hopes of bringing home the top prize. The festivities started with the Lone Star Girls, who brought out the flags of Texas, branches of the military service, the Wimberley VFW Post 6441 and finally the USA flag while performing riding...

Rambo Masonic Lodge to commemorate building cornerstones in public ceremony July 17 Construction of two new EMS stations 74 and 75 is nearly complete and both are expected to be operational later this month to serve the emergency medical calls or residents in the northern areas of the county. North Hays County EMS is the emergency medical services provider for the northern portion of Hays County, including Dripping Springs, Driftwood and Henly, with a service area covering some 244 square miles. The two new locations will improve response times, helping to preserve human life, allowing Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics to provide...

HAYS COUNTY — For nearly 20 years, Lisa Adams has been working on helping members of the community in Hays County — from hospice patients to veterans and their families — and now, the state of Texas has recognized her for her contributions. At the Kyle Chamber of Commerce “Lunch with Leaders; Their Impact on Our Communities” luncheon held on Tuesday, June 26, Adams was recognized by the Office of the Texas Governor with the Yellow Rose of Texas Award, which is an honorary commission conferred by Gov. Abbott to Texas women for exceptional community service. “I was really caught off guard. I did not expect this whatsoever when they said my name … I was very honored to receive this very honorable award from the state of Texas that's signed by the governor,” said Adams, who is the CEO of Hats Off For Veterans. “I'm truly grateful because 20 years of hard work, it's not really hard work, it's what I want to do. I don't do it for the recognition I do because not only can I throw a good party, but how fun is it when you can throw a party for your entire community. A lot of people come to support that cause and you're doing something good out of it.” Hats Off For Veterans is a nonprofit organization committed to providing financial assistance to veterans across the state of Texas who are pursuing their higher education degree, as well as supporting professional development for those seeking certification or licensure in skilled trades. “Sometimes you have a military person who retires in their 40s and decides to go to college, and although they have the G.I. Bill, the G.I. Bill doesn't pay for your car payment, rent and things like [that]. We want to alleviate as much stress on the veteran as they're transitioning or are going into getting their first degree as best as we can. And the other part of our mission is not everybody wants to go to college and so, they want to go get an apprenticeship with a skilled trade or they want to focus on their professional development towards work. Instead of going to college, you can become a welder, electrician or a plumber. But what makes us unique is that for us, we recognize a skilled trade as anyone who is doing something that's their source of income whether you’re a bartender, realtor, musician, artist [or] a chef … We want to help as much as we can financially for that veteran to work towards that skill trade and we don't want them to feel like what they do is any better or less than any other job.” The inspiration surrounding Hats Off For Veterans came from when Adams was working for the hospice care program at Central Texas Medical Center in San Marcos. From 2005 to 2016, she helped CTMC with its long-time fundraiser, titled Hats Off For Hospice, that helped fulfill end-of-life wishes for local hospice patients. “Some of the wishes that I remember that make me smile to this day, and I still have pictures of, [was when] we sent a gentleman up in a hot air balloon. He was like 88 years old, I think, and he always wanted to go in a hot air balloon. We canceled 14 times because of the weather, but he was so patient and when we finally got to do it, it was such a beautiful day,” Adams explained. Following her time at CTMC, Adams started working for an association that hired her to help with its veterans employment program — knowing that she needed to put on a fundraiser in her new capacity, she thought, “Why reinvent the wheel?” “I went back to all my sponsors from the hospital and said, ‘Look, I want to put on the same fundraiser, but the only difference is, I want to help veterans.’ I'm a military brat, I'm an Army brat,” she said. “When I say I'm an Army brat, I'm a traditional, 18 years overseas on military bases and I didn’t come to the United States really until I came to college.” Then, in 2017, after further discussion with sponsors and partners, it was agreed that Hats Off For Hospice would become Hats Off For Veterans Inc., also known as Operation: Hats Off for Veterans. And it became an official nonprofit organization in 2023. Adams said that her goal for Hats Off For Veterans is to give out as many scholarships and grants as possible to help veterans. But she is setting her eyes on an even bigger dream. “My dream is for Texas to be recognized as the national headquarters for Hats Off For Veterans, but I'd love to have a chapter in every state. I know that there are a lot of programs out there helping veterans with PTSD, mental health and wellness [and] family support. When you have scholarships and grants out there for veterans, they're really having to compete also against all those other students who are not veterans,” she said. “Like, if you're a student at Texas State University and there's a scholarship and you're a veteran, sure, you might be able to click a little check mark on that application that says you're a veteran, but you still have to compete against a Texas State student who's maybe just straight out of high school, a freshman in college. You're 40 years old, but you can't get that scholarship because they got it. We strictly [say] you have to be a veteran to receive our awards, so they don't have to compete against anyone but other veterans.” According to Adams, the fundraisers would not be possible without the support from three main sponsors: Kent Black (Black’s BBQ), Larry Kruzie (Texas Old Town) and Texas Oncology San Marcos. She also thanked the volunteers, community supporters and veterans who have been there along the way. “We could not do it without our volunteers and our community supporters and we couldn't do it without our sponsors. I really want to do a shout out to Texas Old Town, Black’s BBQ — and when I say Black’s BBQ, I mean Kent Black himself. He has supported this event since the beginning — and of course, Texas Oncology San Marcos, [as well]” she said. “We want to thank all of our veterans for their service. They pay the biggest price of all. They sacrifice their personal life so we can have our freedoms and I appreciate that. So, this is my way of giving back.” Donations are needed to fuel the operations behind the nonprofit, Adams said. The organization is having its next event coming up from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4; the Krug Activity Center in Kyle is going to be transformed into the Great Hall for the Harry Potter Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry Fall Dinner. To learn more about Hats Off For Veterans, apply for scholarships, send monetary donations or to purchase tickets for the fall dinner, visit www.ohofv.org/home .

SAN MARCOS — The first group of people has successfully completed the new Hays County Pre-Trial Diversion Program for criminal cases. This program was launched in January 2024 and is designed to allow certain offenders to avoid the stigma and burden of a criminal record for low-level, non-violent offenses, according to Hays County. Seven people have just graduated from the program and another seventy are currently working their way through the program. If they successfully complete it, they will have the opportunity to avoid a criminal conviction. The Pre-Trial Diversion Program is a voluntary contract agreement between an accused and the Hays County District Attorney’s Office. A specially assigned prosecutor reviews cases to identify people who are potentially eligible. Defense attorneys may also request that their clients be considered for admission to the program. An internal committee reviews each case to determine whether it would be appropriate to offer the accused an opportunity to participate. If participation in the program is offered and accepted, the agreement will include conditions specific to the accused and the offense(s) they were charged with. This can include completion of classes, community service, payment of restitution, drug testing and other conditions designed to help the accused avoid further interaction with the criminal justice system. Once a contract agreement has been executed, the case(s) is dismissed and/or declined by the Hays County District Attorney’s Office and will only be re-filed if the person fails to complete the program. The defendant will be eligible to file for an immediate expunction upon completion of the Pre-Trial Diversion Program; however, the expunction of records will not apply to the Hays County District Attorney’s Office. The contract agreement does not require an admission of guilt. The defendant is supervised by the Hays County Judicial Services Department during the program. “I am proud to have fulfilled my promise to create a meaningful way to divert appropriate cases away from the courts,” said Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins. “I believe this approach will make a real difference not only in the lives of those diverted, but within the dockets of our courts as well.”

AUSTIN, Texas — Hays Consolidated Independent School District officials want parents to be aware of the dangers of fentanyl this summer. With school set to start back next month, the summer days are fading, but that doesn’t mean the dangers of fentanyl are fading with them. Janel Rodriguez,...

AUSTIN, Texas - A young and controversial Hays County district clerk resigns, and Kyle city leaders are also in the spotlight for their spending. Hays Free Press publisher Ashley Kontnier joined FOX 7 Austin's Mike Warren to discuss. MIKE: Now, last Friday, 21-year-old Avrey Anderson resigned from the district clerk...

Drivers line up down the street to grab groceries from a small, white house in the Dunbar neighborhood of San Marcos. For some time, the renovated house worked for the Hays County Food Bank, but as more and more people rely on it, the food bank has outgrown the space. Executive Director Lisa Young said overhanging tree branches and telephone wires also don't allow trucks to bring in larger quantities of food.

SAN MARCOS, Texas - Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins announced today that the first group of people admitted into the new Pre-Trial Diversion Program for criminal cases have successfully completed the program. This program was launched in January 2024 and is designed to allow certain offenders to avoid the stigma and burden of a criminal record for low-level, non-violent offenses. Seven people have just “graduated” from the program, and another seventy are currently working their way through the program. If they successfully complete it, they will have the opportunity to avoid a criminal conviction.

The Wimberley swim spot has been closed for years.

Hays County District Clerk Avrey Anderson resigned from his office on July 5. Anderson did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the San Marcos Daily Record. Hays County did not have a comment at this time, but a county official said that one may be issued at a later date. A district court judge will decide on a person to appoint to fill the role. It is unclear if or how this may impact the petition for removal Anderson faces. Anderson has been mired with difficulties since he was originally elected in November of 2022 at the age...

, , , , Longest annual rodeo in Hays County celebrates the Fourth The longest ongoing rodeo in Hays County wrapped up its annual Fourth of July celebration this past weekend. The 78th Annual Wimberley VFW Rodeo is a celebration of both the birth of the United States of America and the sport of rodeo. Hundreds of Cowboys and cowgirls from across Texas and even out of state competed in three days of competition with the hopes of bringing home the top prize. The festivities started with the Lone Star Girls, who brought out the flags of Texas, branches of the military service, the...