by Megan Wehring Face coverings have become the new accessory before walking out the door. With rising numbers of the coronavirus, Hays County issued an executive order requiring residents to wear face masks when out in public. Dr. Tyler Hollmig, director of dermatologic surgery at Ascension Texas, ...

Rio Vista Park in San Marcos was crowded on Sunday, June 21. The city is again closing all river parks, effective Thursday, June 25. Five Mile Dam park will close at the same time. Nothing takes the edge off the Texas summer sun like a float on a cool, spring-fed river. As it turns out, the coronavi...

Hays County residents are now, for the most part, be required to wear face masks while out in public. Exceptions include: • When driving alone or with passengers who are part of the same household • While pumping gas or operating outdoor equipment • When exercising outside or engaging in outdoor act...

Early voting for the July 14 runoffs for the March 3 primaries runs Monday, June 29 through Friday, July 10. Democrats will decide between Mary “MJ” Hegar and Royce West for U.S. Senate, between Roberto R. “Beto” Alonzo and Chrysta Castañeda for the Railroad Commission, as well as between Donna Hasc...

Should the student body of Hays High School decide it’s time to ditch its Rebel mascot, the pump is primed for the process to begin, Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright said. Spurred by dialogue on social media, emails from students and a petition, Wright told the Hays Free Press that district officials ...

Signs outside a Monday press conference in Wimberley (above) can be seen all along the route of the Permian Highway Pipeline (PHP). The laughter of children playing in and along Cypress Creek provided a backdrop as a new federal lawsuit against Kinder Morgan’s Permian Highway Pipeline (PHP) was anno...

This chart looks at the growth rate of COVID-19 cases in Hays County, in comparison to counties of similar size.   COVID Chart as of 6:23:20

by Sahar Chmais When Buda City Council members were presented with an Equality and Justice Resolution at Tuesday night’s meeting, a strong difference of opinion arose, with the mayor on one side and council members on the other. All members of the council were welcoming of the resolution, with the e...

Staff report Even as the Hays YMCA opened its doors again on June 1, it also named a new chair to its board. At the end of May, the board affirmed the appointment of Brian Carter as its new board chair. As he takes this role on during uncertain times, Carter wants the community to know the role of t...

Submitted Report Victor Lopez wanted to become one thing in his life – a veterinarian.  Born to immigrant parents with little money or education, going to school while working full-time and numerous rejections from veterinary colleges, the odds were stacked against Victor. But on June 1, 2020, he ac...