(Editor's Note: This story was updated at 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16, to reflect that the deputy's last name is Zaqzouq, not Zagzoug.) STAFF REPORT HAYS COUNTY — Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins announced today that a Hays County grand jury concluded its review of a shooting...

BY BRITTANY ANDERSON KYLE — After recent concerns regarding gas smells at Negley Elementary, Hays CISD chief communication officer Tim Savoy has provided some clarification. A concerned resident told The Hays Free Press that multiple children in affected classrooms were being sent home with nausea a...

HAYS COUNTY – More than 30 volunteers have raised $91,500 to support children and families in foster care. There are more than 4,000 children and youth in foster care in Central Texas, according to nonprofit Austin Angels. About 50% of foster homes close within the first year; 50% of youth in care g...

Gloria Aguilar, above, joins the Paint and Sip fun on Saturday, Feb. 11 led by instructor Tera Monroe, below. Paint and Sip is a monthly event hosted by the city of Kyle. The next event will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. on Friday, March 24. Photos by Natalie Frels

Residents impacted by severe weather Texas Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients in 67 counties, including Hays, who were affected by the severe winter weather this month will have additional time to report their food loss because of power outages due to the storm. The U.S. Dep...

UPCOMING FUNDRAISER KYLE — Living with cancer can take an emotional toll on someone and the mountain of medical bills can feel never-ending. For one local family, the community is hoping to relieve some of the financial burden. The STAC Athletics Youth Center, located at 5 Brent Blvd. Ste. 110 in Ky...

Photo by Natalie Frels The city of Kyle voted to approve a proclamation to celebrate Black History Month for the month of February. This year’s theme is “Resistance.” The proclamation also honored the first black Kyle council member, Maddie Welch, center. “I am very honored to bring this forward bec...

Voters to see $367 million bond on May ballot BUDA — The bond process is a strenuous one, especially for a district that is growing as fast as Hays CISD, but the board of trustees has officially settled on a package that voters will see on the May ballot. In August 2022, two months after a $115 mill...

Area blood drives held this week DRIPPING SPRINGS — Dripping Springs area residents will have a few opportunities to save a life by giving blood this week. An American Red Cross blood drive will be held on Feb. 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. A few spots are still available...

Large limb pick-up available for residents BUDA — After Winter Storm Mara hit Central Texas in the early hours of Jan. 30, thousands of Texans were left without power, in large part due to fallen tree branches and limbs from ice. During the Feb. 7 Buda City Council meeting, city manager Micah Grau s...