As of March 18, 2020, the Hays County Local Health Department has been notified of 5 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19, also known as Coronavirus.   CDC image. Four of the patients had recent travel days before their symptoms began, so it is believed that they came into contact with a positive COVID-1...

Here are letters sent to the families of students at Tobias Elementary School by the Hays CISD Wednesday after a person with a connection to the campus tested positive fo COVID-19. CDC image. The Hays Free Press will continue to issue updates on the virus and community response to it as they become ...

DSISD board adopts COVID-19 emergency resolution The Dripping Springs Board of Trustees held an emergency meeting March 16, with the primary purpose of adopting a resolution related to school closures as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The resolution, which was approved unanimously ...

Governor Greg Abbott has waived regulations to ensure students who are enrolled in work-study programs will continue to receive critical funding while campuses close due to their response to COVID-19. As campuses across the state move instruction online, critical work-study programs that ensure stud...

Governor Greg Abbott has announced that he has waived the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) testing requirements for the 2019-2020 school year. Additionally, Abbott is requesting that the Department of Education (DOE) waive federal testing requirements for the 2019-2020 school...

H-E-B is now observing new operating hours, opening all stores and pharmacies, including Central Market, at 8 a.m. and closing at 8 p.m. The grocery chain is also offering free curbside pickup and free home delivery of all prescription medications. Here was the company’s initial message: “To better ...

by Mike Cato In between washing our hands with soap for 20 seconds several times a day, many are having to work and study from home, some for the first time.   There are some technology considerations. One is that there may be more people at home doing higher demand internet activity than normal. No...

The matriarch behind Buda’s iconic Helen’s Casa Alde was Helen Alcala. Alcala died in June 2017. In 2005, Hays Free Press reporter Jen Biundo had the pleasure of interviewing Alcala. Below is a reprint of that interview. By Jen Biundo Above is Helen Alcala, left, working as a cook for the Hays CISD ...

YMCA of Austin facilities, which include Hays Communities and Springs Family in Hays County, have been closed until further notice. The list also includes the Bastrop YMCA, East Communities YMCA, Extend-A-Care YMCA, HNorth Austin YMCA, Northwest Family YMCA, Southwest Family YMCA, Springs Family YMC...

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