SAN MARCOS  — Adelie Donovan entered the Hays County Youth Poet Laureate competition after experiencing a bout of boredom. Weeks later, she recalled the shocked face of her peers as her yelps of happiness filled the Hays High School library, following an email that she had been named the Hays County...

BUDA — In a world filled with conventional sports, like football or basketball, and even those a little more unique, such competitive cheer, the definition exceeds expectations for the Marine Corps Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (MCJROTC) program at Jack C. Hays High School. The school’s MJR...

SAN MARCOS — An Animal Welfare Services Division within the Hays County Health Department was approved at the Hays County Commissioners Court's April 8 meeting. According to agenda documents, this follows the decision to cancel the contract with Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) at the March 25 meeting: “ …...

DRIPPING SPRINGS — With much anticipation, after a long-awaited period, the city of Dripping Springs has been given the green light to expand its wastewater treatment facility. This comes after the Texas Supreme Court ruled in support of the city’s wastewater discharge permit Friday, April 11, which...

HAYS COUNTY   — The Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch compiled information regarding the upcoming Saturday, May 3, election. School districts Three of the Hays County school districts have bonds placed on the ballot. Following final approval Jan. 23, the Hays CISD Board of Trustees called a $968 million...

BUDA — “The heart and soul of our city” is music and supporting the local artists who are beginning to flourish in the community, said Lysa Gonzlaez, director of community relations and destination services, as the city of Buda was recently designated by the Texas Music Office (TMO) as a Music Frien...

SAN MARCOS — The partnership between Hays County and Austin Pets Alive! (APA!)  in relation to the planned Hays County Pet Resource, Education and Research Center (Hays PRC) is coming to a conclusion. This follows the Hays County Commissioners Court voting 4-1 — with Judge Ruben Becerra dissenting —...

WIMBERLEY  — More than 20 years after its inception, the Wimberley Valley Visitor Center is evolving to better serve the needs of the community through a new board of directors and more volunteering opportunities. The 501(c)(3), which is also known as the Wimberley Convention and Visitors Bureau Fou...

DRIPPING SPRINGS   — A traffic signal will be installed at Arrowhead Ranch Boulevard in Dripping Springs by 2027. Dripping Springs City Council unanimously approved an advanced funding agreement March 25 for the installation of a traffic signal at US 290 and Arrowhead Ranch Boulevard, which secures ...

BUDA — At its March 25 meeting, Buda City Council listened to a presentation on the progress of The Colony at Cole Springs development project, presented by Royce Rippy, a representative of M/I Homes. Development of The Colony at Cole Springs began in March 2024 and phase one is currently anticipate...