The following story includes details of sexual assault that may be disturbing to some readers. Please proceed with caution. SAN MARCOS — Lilly Roberts’ life slowed down on Thursday, April 25, as she and her family sat on the front bench inside the courthouse, while Hays County 22nd District Judge Br...

KYLE -- Those wanting to get rid of their old tires are in luck as The Hays County Environmental Task Force led by the Hays County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, in conjunction with the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG), is hosting a Tire Collection Event from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. (or u...

AUSTIN — Colten Romeo Thayer, 20, was sentenced to 120 months in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl in federal court on April 29. Thayer was arrested on Aug. 30, 2022, for possession of a controlled substance after a traffic stop led a search of his vehicle, where officers disc...

JOHNSON CITY — Pedernales Electric Cooperative celebrated National Lineman Appreciation Day on April 18 while also honoring its crews and investing in their training, education and career growth throughout the entire month. As part of PEC’s commitment to provide safe and reliable power, for more tha...

On Friday, April 19, the Hays Free Press and News-Dispatch staff received multiple awards in the South Texas Press Association annual contest for content published in 2023. The Hays Free Press awards are: First place News Photos, first place Editorial Writing, first place Feature Photos, first place...

HAYS COUNTY   — Commissioner Michelle Cohen has held the ambition of writing children’s books for as long as she can remember. In a few weeks, her dream will come true, with the release of “A Day in the Life of a Hays County Commissioner.” “When I became county commissioner, even before that, when I...

KYLE — After being shut down in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Kyle Area Youth Advisory Council (KAYAC) is back. What started years before the pandemic in 2013, KAYAC is a committee of students in grades 9-12 who all live in the Kyle city limits or attend a Hays CISD school. The committee is...

HAYS COUNTY — As the area has experienced significant population growth over the past decade, the Board of Commissioners of Hays County Emergency Services District No. 9 has called for a proposition to be placed on the ballot for the May 4 election. An Emergency Services District (ESD) is a local go...

HAYS COUNTY — The Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center (HCWC) accepted the second half and final payment of the $644,000 grant unanimously approved by the Hays County Commissioners Court in August 2022. This grant, funded through the Hays County allocation of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the Loca...

MARTINDALE — Students at Texas State University have the opportunity to participate in an internship program at LiveOak Living Community that will help them learn the daily care and support of individuals with cognitive disabilities. In 2002, founder and CEO David Seaton started LiveOak because he w...