By Megan Wehring   KYLE — With the heart of a servant, Captain Pedro Hernandez knew that it was his calling to help others when he became an officer at the Kyle Police Department (KPD).  Kyle Police Captain Pedro Hernandez (city of Kyle photo). “I like helping people,” Hernandez said, “as cliche and...

By Sahar Chmais Sparkly cowboy boots, a beige mesh floppy hat and red rose kimono; this vivacious style was just the tip of the glowing iceberg that was Janie Balderas. Underneath her big laugh and bright clothes was buried some heartache this country singer carried. The Kyle resident writes songs t...

By Megan Wehring KYLE — When Juneteenth was established as a federal holiday on Thursday, Pastor Marquet Curl advocated for educating all generations about all parts of American history. Marquet Curl was one of nine panelists in the city of Kyle to discuss Juneteenth and why it is still important. K...

Staff Report HAYS COUNTY -- State Rep. Erin Zwiener, Hays County and city of Buda officials joined the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) today to kick off construction of the FM 2001 West Realignment Project. This is the first of three projects to improve FM 2001 between Interstate Highway ...

This past week the Hays Free Press and News-Dispatch offered our online readers a readers poll to get their opinion about teaching Critical Race Theory in public schools.   According to Education Week Magazine , “Critical Race Theory is an academic concept that is more than 40 years old. The core id...

By Sahar Chmais   A new dormitory will become home to boys from all over Texas who are in the state adoption or foster system.   The Burke Center for Youth, located in Driftwood, has been raising money for the past three years to open Founders Hall for these kids. The nonprofit was able to raise $3....

Local residents see the fencing around the downtown square and await changes around the historic old city hall. At this time, plans for the changes have been submitted to the Hays County Historical Commission and the city awaits approval. TF Harper construction company is in charge of the project an...

By Sahar Chmais The Calaboose African American History Museum will open in its renovated form on Juneteenth – a perfect opportunity to celebrate, said Brent Salone, Calaboose Vice President and Facility Trustee. Juneteenth, or June 19,  was the day slaves in Texas were finally told by a union genera...

To plan for Hays County’s fast growth and make efficient use of water, the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District (HTGCD) will host an open conversation with Texas’ State Climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon on July 1. As Hays County was declared the second fastest growing county in the nation ...

Juneteenth commemorates the abolition of slavery in Texas and other confederate states on June 19, 1865. On that day, 250,000 enslaved African Americans were given their freedom. This came two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in the United States. Texas was the first state to...