Hays Free Press publisher retires

Buda, Business, Community, Dripping Springs, Hays County, Kyle, News, San Marcos, Wimberley

Staff Report on January 5, 2022

Staff Report

After 38 years in the newspaper business and serving as publisher for the Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch for more than two decades, Cyndy Slovak-Barton is retiring from the paper to take over other family ventures.

The current Hays Free Press was founded by the Harwell family of Kyle in 1903 and has deep roots in Kyle and Buda, operating under many names including Onion Creek Free Press, The Free Press, Kyle News and more.

In 1953, two Southwest Texas State Teachers College (now Tex...

Community, Education, Hays County, News

Hays CISD Communication, Safety & Security teams honored for fentanyl awareness campaign

SUGAR LAND — A year-long, collaborative Hays CISD campaign that helped spread awareness of the dangers of fentanyl use has generated additional statew...

March 6, 2024

Buda, Dripping Springs, Hays County, Kyle, News, San Marcos, Wimberley

Arrested for a good cause

Hays Free Press publisher Ashley Kontnier was arrested by Hays County Sheriff’s Department on Friday, Dec. 1. According to the Brown Santa judge, the ...

December 6, 2023

Community, Kyle, News

Hays Free Press celebrates 120 years and counting …

The Kyle News, the Austin Sun, the Onion Creek Free Press, the Hays County Citizen, the Hays County Free Press and The Free Press are all names Hays C...

October 11, 2023

Buda, Hays County, Kyle, Main, News, San Marcos

Kyle Council adopts San Marcos water agreement

KYLE — At its meeting on Oct. 2, Kyle City Council approved water usage from the city of San Marcos, as well as celebrated the Hays Free Press’ 120th ...

October 11, 2023

Community, Hays County, News

Cyndy Barton receives distinguished award

On Saturday, April 22, Cyndy Slovak-Barton, former owner and publisher of the Hays Free Press and News-Dispatch, received the South Texas Press Associ...

April 26, 2023

Buda, Community, Main, News

HYBSA holds opening ceremonies

More than 600 kids set to play in spring season BUDA — What began as a baseball field design drawn on a napkin has since transformed into one of Hays ...

March 8, 2023

Buda, Community, Dripping Springs, ...

Meet the Candidates for the Hays County Elections 2024

The 2024 General Election is Nov. 5. Barton Publications reached out to local candidates to answer questions about their races. Not all returned the questionnaire.

By Staff Report

October 16, 2024

CANDIDATES FOR HAYS COUNTY SHERIFF Anthony Hipolito (R) What is the number one crime-related issue that needs an immediate plan of action from the nex...

Breaking News, Hays County, News

November 2024 Election Coverage

By Staff Report

November 5, 2024

These are the unofficial Nov. 5 election results as of 11:13 p.m, with all 58 polling locations reporting. Results will remain unofficial until canvas...

Breaking News, Hays County, Main, ...

Judge Neidhardt accused of using public resources for campaigning

By Staff Report

October 28, 2024

Note: This story has been updated as of 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 29 to include Tanner Neidhardt's statement. Note: This story has been updated as of 2 ...

Hays County, News, San Marcos

Pedophile sentenced to life without parole

By Staff Report

October 4, 2024

SAN MARCOS — Christopher Lee Head, 36, was sentenced to life in prison, without the possibility of parole, by visiting Judge Glenn Devlin on Oct. 4. A...

Breaking News, Hays County, Main, ...

Residents file lawsuit against Hays County for Proposition A on ballot

By Brittany Kelley

October 31, 2024

SAN MARCOS — Four Hays County property owners have filed a lawsuit against the Hays County Commissioners Court regarding the almost $440 million road ...

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