Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered the suspension of all elective surgeries in Travis, Bexar, Harris and Dallas counties to offset the rapid increase in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Additionally, he ordered hospitals in the state’s 250 other counties to “postpone all surgeries and procedures that are n...

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Central Texas is enrolling now for the upcoming volunteer training session, and more volunteers are needed for the program to keep up with the number of child abuse victims in the area. CASA of Central Texas advocates for abused and neglected children in t...

That first case of coronavirus in Mountain City is a friend of mine. On Day 12 of her confinement, we chatted back and forth by text. My Mountain City friend, young and extremely healthy, wears PPE in workplace. With 8 - 10 hour workdays, a standard mask was worn, for comfort, rather than the N-95 m...

For Broderick Cobbs, football was more than a skill and hobby. It was a saving grace from racism – admittedly, it did not always work. Cobbs thought if he became an essential part of the team and school, maybe he would not get in trouble for the things black students got in trouble for and the schoo...

COVID-19 has infringed on a lot of traditions, but the Fourth of July fireworks will go on, with restrictions in Kyle and Buda. By Megan Wehring Crowded streets, American flags and neighborhood barbecues. The Fourth of July is gathering together with family and friends in celebration. How does the p...

Opportunities for youth fishing and family hiking are among uses Hays County envisions for roughly 28 acres of property it recently purchased adjacent to the Cape’s Camp area and the A.E. Wood State Fish Hatchery in San Marcos. The county purchased the tract known as the “pond property” earlier this...

With students dealing with COVID-19 pandemic, Black Lives Matter marches, and the possibility of Hays High mascot being changed, graduation went ahead last week for all three high schools. Above, a Hays High student respectfully kneels during the National Anthem, and Lehman High students enjoy a glo...

Even though it’s the students who will decide if Hays High School needs to replace its Rebel mascot, their parents have opinions on the subject. Comments in favor of keeping the mascot and changing it were expressed on the Hays Free Press Facebook page; however, three parents who spoke directly to t...

The city of San Marcos river parks will be closed again until further notice as of 8 p.m. on Thursday, June 25. The dog park, the skate park and natural areas will remain open, but visitors to these areas should observe CDC recommendations on social distancing and wear masks if they are unable to ke...

Dripping Springs ISD held a socially distanced, mask-wearing groundbreaking for Elementary #5 on Darden Hill Road. Left to right:  County Commissioner Walt Smith, State Representative Erin Zwiener, Board member Ron Jones, Board Vice President Dr. Mary Jane Hetrick, Board member Barbara Stroud, Board...