Submitted Report by Candidate DRIPPING SPRINGS — Hays County Commissioner Walt Smith announced he is seeking reelection to the position of Precinct 4 commissioner in the 2022 Republican primary election.   Walt Smith Smith was first elected as commissioner for Pct. 4, which includes the majority of ...

By Megan Wehring HAYS COUNTY — Hispanics make up 40% of the population in Hays County and that number continues to grow every year.   As one of the fastest growing counties in the U.S., Hays County’s total population grew by more than 80,000 residents in the last decade to 241,067 in 2020, according...

Staff Report   BUDA — An investigation continues after a man was found dead and a woman was injured in Buda last month.   At approximately 6:10 p.m. Nov. 20, Hays County Sheriff deputies responded to Quarter Avenue in Buda on a report of a person down/injured. Deputies found a female bleeding from a...

By Brittany Anderson A four-item bond package focusing on the continued growth of Hays CISD is being considered for 2022. HCISD board members discussed the potential bond during the Dec. 13 board meeting, unanimously approving to continue the bond development process and to hold public forums regard...

By Brittany Anderson Final touches are being put on Hays CISD’s 15th elementary school — opening in the Sunfield division of Buda in August 2022 — including its name, attendance zone and principal. During the HCISD board meeting on Dec. 13, board members unanimously approved David MacRoberts as the ...

By Megan Wehring DRIPPING SPRINGS — After discovering two necessary policies were missing, the Dripping Springs ISD’s (DSISD) special education department will endure an audit. During the Dec. 13 meeting, the DSISD Board of Trustees unanimously approved the new audit to be conducted by the Texas Ass...

By Brittany Anderson More savings and lower cost health insurance coverage plans may be possible because of a bill passed in March 2021. Under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, more people than ever qualify for help in paying for health coverage. Most people currently enrolled in a Health Insura...

By Brittany Anderson Many rural communities do not have reliable access to dental care — but a Buda pediatric dentist is working to combat this in Caldwell County with a Central Texas-based non-profit healthcare organization Dr. Alexandra Otto, D.D.S., and her husband Tim own and operate Kids Tooth ...

Holiday tradition returns Dripping Springs most prominent holiday event was back in full swing this year. Christmas on Mercer attracted neighbors far and wide Saturday for the arrival of Santa, live music, food and great fall weather.

Staff Report After 20 years of live music in the Hill Country, owners of the Nutty Brown Cafe concluded their era with final performances Nov. 26 and 27. The two-night send-off performances included Pat Green and Kevin Fowler on Friday night and Randy Rogers Band, Stoney LaRue and Roger Creager on S...