‘Seeing that hope blossom in people reminds me that there’s always hope’ HAYS COUNTY — For many individuals struggling with substance abuse or veterans experiencing mental health struggles like PTSD, fitness may be the last thing on their minds — but a free gym in Hays County is striving to shift th...

John Frederick Lubben III (Jack), 80, of Austin, TX, passed away on January 24, 2023 at his home in the loving arms of his wife, Ann, and his children, Shanna Alexandra Lubben and Mark Andrew Lubben. Jack was born in Houston, Texas, but lived in McAllen, Texas, during his formative years through hig...

HAYS COUNTY — There was a drizzle in the cold morning air as local teens of the community gathered at Dripping Springs Ranch Park on Saturday, Jan. 21 for the Hays County Livestock Show. A nervous energy radiated as the queen’s court and ambassadors waited for their names to be announced. When the e...

Thousands of Texans could be affected HAYS COUNTY — As a looming deadline is quickly approaching, thousands of Texans could be affected if an agreement is not reached between a major hospital system and one of the state’s largest insurance providers. The current contract between Blue Cross Blue Shie...

Capital Highlights Border security, tax relief and raises top list For the Texas House and Senate, there is not much daylight between each chamber’s priorities in this year’s legislative session. Leaders say the focus will be on property tax relief, border security and employee raises. Preliminary b...

Texas History Following a weeklong engagement at the Majestic Theater, a cheering crowd saw off Harry Houdini, escape artist extraordinaire, at the Dallas train station on Jan. 25, 1916. The four-year-old Hungarian, destined to be the most famous live performer of his generation, came to the United ...

THE HILL COUNTRY STEWARD If you’ve spent any time driving around the Hill Country, you’ve likely seen large areas of dead oak trees – or worse, maybe you have those skeletal oak trees on YOUR property! The likely culprit is oak wilt, a disease caused by the fungus Bretziella fagacearum, which has be...

More than $5,000 raised for Hays County Food Bank By Brittany Anderson BUDA — Thousands of food insecure Hays County residents will soon be able to enjoy a meal, thanks to a fundraiser that has brought art and the community together to make it happen. Inspired Minds Art Center (IMAC) in Buda held it...

Staff Report HAYS COUNTY — At the Hays County Livestock Show last weekend, the first event following the presentation of the queen’s court and ambassadors was the Horse Show. The patronage winners included the following individuals: Junior English • First: Hailey Cruce ($567) • Second: Anna Ashley (...