by CONGRESSMAN LLOYD DOGGETT Guest Column Each year on Memorial Day, Americans come together to remember those who have sacrificed their lives on behalf of our country in the name of freedom and democracy. The debt owed to them is immeasurable.  Without the brave efforts of all the service men and w...

Hip Czech by CYNDY SLOVAK-BARTON Weather prognosticators are now telling us that we will have a “mini-drought” this summer. While it won’t be anything like the drought of 2009, rest assured that we will be called upon to cut back on water consumption. That news falls in line with what the state is r...

Hays High JROTC members stand at attention during a Memorial Day service at Live Oak Cemetery. This particular service, held in 2005, was sponsored by the VFW “Sarge” Bell Memorial Post 3377 in Manchaca. The Manchaca post holds an annual ceremony to honor fallen soldiers. (Photo by Cyndy Slovak-Bart...

by BRAD ROLLINS Responding to a last minute flurry of local requests, the regional transportation planning authority on Monday night added dozens of Hays County projects totaling at least $633 million to its program of new and expanded roads and other facilities for the next quarter century. Capital...

by JEN BIUNDO Buda firefighters perform training exercises, one of the many improvements in the fire department that contributed to a better fire protection rating, which goes into effect this week. (Photo by Jen Biundo) An improved fire protection classification will go into effect next week for ho...

STAFF REPORTS A 41-year-old Kyle man was killed after his vehicle swerved off an Austin highway and rolled over early Saturday morning, authorities say. Luis Pantoja crashed his 2001 Chevrolet pickup along the 8800 block of U.S. 183 southbound at 1:45 a.m. He was not wearing his seatbelt and died on...

Kyle resident loses almost $2,300 in internet scam A Kyle resident who believed that he had won a lottery worth $800,000, swallowed an internet scam hook, line and sinker, police say. On May 10, the Kyle Police Department responded to a deceptive business practice call at a Kyle residence. Apparentl...

More photos from this week along with other photos published in the Hays Free Press are available for viewing and purchase here . Look for folder entitled "Week of May 26, 2010."

STAFF REPORTS All available troopers will be on patrol during the Memorial Day weekend in an effort to keep the traveling public safer, say officials with the Texas Department of Public Safety. “Most crashes are needless tragedies that easily could have been avoided; you don’t want your holiday to e...

by SEAN KIMMONS Food hawkers selling items such as snow cones, kettle corn, hotdogs and tacos may be welcome in Kyle in the near future, city officials say. Last week, the city council heard proposed changes to the city code on mobile and temporary food vendors after local vendors protested the curr...