Austin, Texas – November 16, 2021 – Texas Gas Service is sharing carbon monoxide tips to help keep communities safe. “Carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless and tasteless gas created by the incomplete or improper burning of fuel and can occur any time of year,” said Matt Carlquist, safety and hea...

Those watching the annual Tournament of Roses parade on TV January 1 might have spotted a familiar face. Hays High alumnus Michael Hernandez marched with the Bands of America (BOA) Honor Band in Pasadena.

By Megan Wehring   HAYS COUNTY — The Hays County Local Health Department is set to receive new equipment for its Tuberculosis (TB) program.   At its first meeting for 2022, the Hays County Commissioners Court authorized the purchase of Emocha Mobile Health Inc. Directly Observed Therapy (DOT) Softwa...

Time is running out for Central Texans planning to enroll in health coverage for 2022. Enrollment for Marketplace health plans ends on Jan. 15, and Central Texans should act now to make sure they are covered on Feb. 1. Foundation Communities provides free, one-on-one assistance by phone to help peop...

AUSTIN — Two bills passed during the 87th Legislative Session by Senator Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, consolidating civil court filing fees and prohibiting predatory wrap mortgages lending practices, became effective Jan. 1. This legislation is meant to simplify court costs and to protect homebuyers....

Staff Report The community’s first babies of 2022 were welcomed in local San Marcos and Kyle hospitals on New Year’s Day. Janet and Jovanne with baby Ezra. Photo via Christus Santa Rosa Hospital – San Marcos. Ezra Bernal was born at 8:46 a.m. on Jan. 1 at Christus Santa Rosa Hospital – San Marcos to...

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 i...

Staff Report SAN MARCOS -- Texas State University students will be attending classes remotely for a short period of time. In response to the surge of COVID-19 cases, the university announced Monday that classes will be temporarily moved to online or remote delivery Jan. 18 through Jan. 30. "I cannot...

Staff Report Photo courtesy of Charmaine Wilde. SAN MARCOS — Charmaine Wilde, a former Hays County Assistant District Attorney and former Hays County Bar Association President, has announced her run to become the 207th District Court Judge. “I’m running for judge so we can continue to have judges wi...

By Megan Wehring   HAYS COUNTY — Many animals sit in kennels for weeks or months on end, just waiting to be taken home. “I think there is a perception that some people have that shelter animals are damaged goods,” said Christie Banduch, supervisor at the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter (SMRAS), “...