The event included multiple educational opportunities, such as how to fold a flag.

In the spring of 2025, Cearbaugh created the Hays County Walking Group after she was inspired by a similar Austin-based group hosted by doula Kristen Lucas, who wanted to be able to bring together mothers, birth workers and children.

“I was like, ‘I love this idea and I want to bring it to Hays County,’” Cearbaugh said.

Building a community for moms, especially in their postpartum season, but also when they are pregnant, is important because they are able to connect with and confide in others who are in the same stage of life, Cearbaugh said.

“It's just something that helps moms get out of the house and be walking, too. The movement aspect is really important because sometimes, we can just get stuck at home easily, with all the things going on with littles, but it's a way to get out of the house, get the movement and be able to confide in other moms,” she explained. “Then, adding in the birth worker aspect, having others that are professionals in the space that can hold space; it just adds another layer of support from the professional standpoint.”

Hannah Acay, mother to a nearly-2-year-old, has been attending the Hays County Walking Group sessions for at least a year, after getting connected with Cearbaugh through another networking opportunity.

Aside from getting out in nature with the little ones, she said that she has enjoyed being around other women who are going through the same experience.

“If you don't have a community, it can be a very lonely space. I really feel like it takes a village and if not to help actually raise the children, then just to keep you mentally up,” Acay said. “I also think exercise and being outdoors is incredibly valuable for mental health and that's very hard to do solo, whether it be for motivation or just getting out and doing the things.”

A typical walking group session looks like meeting at the playground of a local park for everyone to mingle and then, they go on a short walk for no more than a mile to “keep it kind of friendly for every season of life,” Cearbaugh said. Afterwards, they loop back to the playground so that moms can hang out with each other, as well as their children.

Beyond the Hays County Walking Group, Cearbaugh, as a mother of two children, works to “hold space” for women in other ways. She shared that she works with moms in their postpartum season in their home; this looks like doing the laundry, dishes, holding the baby while they take a shower or anything that they need during that time.

She also holds online coaching sessions for moms, creating programs to tailor to her clients’ specific needs.

The Hays County Walking Group currently meets at 9 a.m. the first Thursday of each month. Previously, they were meeting at Stagecoach Park in Buda, Cearbaugh explained, but, after dealing with park closures, that will be changed to Buda Amphitheater & City Park.

Originally, the group was available in San Marcos and Dripping Springs, but, after trying for nine months at each of those locations, Cearbaugh said that she found them to not be as well-attended as the current one in Buda. She is looking forward to expanding it again, if there is enough interest.

The next session will be held Thursday, Aug. 6. Registration for the Hays County Walking Group is not required, but encouraged. For more information, visit www.linktr.ee/sacredmamalove.

According to Constable John Ellen, the accreditation is a program that consists of 174 best practices that reduces risk and liability. An example of a best practice is use of force, said Ellen. To prepare for this, and each of the other qualifications, staff was required to enlist in specific training and document any time it was used in a proof of compliance.

The office also has to turn in annual reports to show that these practices continued long after they were implemented.

Additionally, the entirety of the 12 chapter — each with up to 23 sections — general orders manual had to be rewritten, said Ellen.

The officers had to complete these requirements, while working their regular jobs, so a challenge was having enough people and enough time, he said. Despite this, he noted that the office already had a high standard, so instead of changing a lot, it was more so focused on documenting the practices they had already implemented.

Following the completion of these tasks, an on-site visit was done by the TPCA. This includes two law enforcement professionals that spend several days with the office, going through policies and procedures, completing ride-alongs and more. Ellen described the process as “grueling,” though it was actually completed in less hours than other offices, he bragged.

“[The initial training] took us a little bit over two years and, according to the assessors that came out, that’s about normal for an agency our size. However, I guess it usually takes them around 16 hours to do a [visit at] an agency of our size and it took them between seven to eight to do ours. They said that they hadn't seen one that was that well put together and that well-documented. So, that was a huge compliment,” said the constable.

The achievements didn’t stop at the compliment and the accreditation itself, Ellen shared, as he discovered that out of the 1,000 constable’s offices in the state, Hays County's Precinct 5 was only the fifth to achieve the award.

“It’s a huge step forward for us; it’s a huge step forward for the county. It’s something that, I hope, will be the standard for our county. One of the things I would like to see is all five of our constable’s offices and the sheriff’s office be accredited agencies,” said Ellen.

The accreditation is more than just a title, as it provides credibility to the office, while setting up a high-standard roadmap for law enforcement to abide by. According to the constable, the office will have to undergo re-accreditation in four years.

“This precinct has always worked really, really hard to have high standards and provide the best law enforcement service we possibly can and this is just a written indication of standards by which we operate … This victory goes to the people who work here. It’s not my leadership; it’s the quality of people we have serving our citizens that is really the reason we were able to do this,” concluded Ellen.

The Precinct 5 Constable’s Office was recognized by the Hays County Commissioners Court during its June 23 meeting.

To learn more about the accreditation, visit www.texaspolicechiefs.org/accreditation.

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) is the state agency responsible for rabies prevention, surveillance and control. Under Chapter 826 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, each county must appoint a Local Rabies Control Authority (LRCA). In Hays County, the Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Division serves in this role, responding to rabies concerns involving wildlife, livestock and pets.

Hays County Health Department staff are also working with state partners and community-based organizations to implement rabies prevention strategies, including outreach and vaccination efforts for household pets.

“As the county continues to develop its role in supporting the welfare and safety of our animals and residents, it’s important that we address the current outbreak affecting our local wildlife. The health department continues to provide opportunities for residents to receive free or low-cost vaccines, including the rabies vaccine, for their cats and dogs,” said Matthew Gonzales, Hays County Health Department director. “The department will continue to work with local rabies control authorities, including the Department of State Health Services, to monitor the spread of rabies in our community and determine the implementation of best practices, with the court's direction.”

As multiple Central Texas counties experience a rise in rabies cases, Hays County has been particularly affected by increased prevalence among fox populations, prompting officials to classify the situation as an outbreak. The commissioners court emphasized its commitment to safeguarding residents, animals and the local ecosystem by supporting proven prevention strategies.

The resolution highlights the success of the Oral Rabies Vaccination Program (ORVP), established in 1995 by DSHS in coordination with federal, state and local partners. The ORVP has played a major role in reducing rabies among coyotes, dogs and gray foxes in various regions of Texas.

In its action, the commissioners court:

• Expressed strong support for DSHS efforts to seek assistance from federal, state and local agencies to conduct oral rabies vaccination and other prevention activities, including quarantine enforcement.

• Requested that the governor and Texas Legislature consider adding the rabies outbreak to the call of a special session if conditions warrant.

• Urged approval of funding requested by DSHS for rabies prevention and treatment efforts, including support for local public health initiatives.

"Rabies is a serious public health issue that affects not only wildlife, but also our pets, livestock and families," said commissioner Morgan Hammer. "By supporting state and local prevention efforts, including vaccination programs and public education, Hays County is taking a proactive approach to protecting our community. This resolution demonstrates our commitment to working with our partners to address the outbreak and help keep both residents and animals safe."

Copies of the approved resolution will be sent to Gov. Greg Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, members of the Texas Legislature representing Hays County, DSHS and other relevant agencies.

Kelly Engram, a professor within the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Texas State University, recalled that the last time she had “good hair” was in her late teenage years because she was diagnosed with Hashimoto's, a thyroid autoimmune disease, when she was in her 40s. One of the symptoms of Hashimoto’s is hair loss; Engram was going through a “perfect storm” of significant weight loss and perimenopause that were not helping her grow her hair back.

Engram went through a lot of frustration and trial and error, struggling to find a wig that made her feel like herself again, but experiences where she was persuaded into wearing something that she was not used to, leaving her voice unheard.

“I was used to wearing a short blonde pixie and then, [the wig salon] kind of talked me into a really long brunette wig that was completely foreign to me and looking back on it, that was a completely wrong thing to do,” she recalled.

Through her experiences and after doing her own personal research, the professor decided to use her skills to create wigs and open the “online door” to sell wigs in May 2025. She has sold approximately 600 wigs all over the world, with clients in Australia, Europe and Pakistan.

However, she was missing the in-person experience with clients, leading her to open a brick-and-mortar location — Prairie Fire Hair — in San Marcos. There, she will be able to do more in-person consultations with an in-house colorist and stylist beside her, as well as host monthly workshops and support groups at no cost.

All that Engram is going to offer would be geared to welcoming women, who are dealing with all of the challenges, such as the feeling of loss of identity, related to hair loss into an uplifting and caring community.

“Wearing a wig is so incredibly difficult, but at the same time, utterly life-changing. I have had women who tell me like their lives have completely changed from wearing wigs; they feel like they've gotten themselves back. I actually had this one woman who I had a consultation with and she was sobbing. [She] just basically told me that she was to the point where she felt like she just wanted to end it all because she just didn't feel like worthy of existing. She just didn't feel like herself anymore. I can attest to that feeling myself and then, I've heard stories over and over again,” Engram said. “Wigs aren't really normalized in our society. People can wear extensions and that's no big deal and you can do all of these things to change your appearance, but wig-wearing is still sort of like a taboo thing. When you can get together with other people who are also wearing wigs, it is just so empowering to have that support around you.”

Prairie Fire Hair is also filling a gap, Engram said, as she was invited to a conference for a medical group in San Antonio, where she learned that people have been looking for a wig resource in the local area — which includes Hays County — for years.

Engram will be holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Prairie Fire Hair, located at 2108 Hunter Road, Suite 106, San Marcos, at 10 a.m. Friday, July 10, followed by an open house from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., where visitors will have an opportunity to tour the studio, learn about wig options and services, meet the founder and enter prize drawings for premium hair care packages. Then, on Saturday, July 11, a complimentary Wig 101 Workshop will be offered to learn about selecting the right wig, proper fit and more; attendance is free, but advance registration is required.

To learn more about the business and to register for workshops, visit www.prairiefirehair.com.

Prior to the debacle, independent county judge candidate Liz Sumter Gajdos took to the podium during public comment to speak. In this, she made several remarks toward commissioner and county judge nominee Michelle Cohen, who recently won the Democratic primary seat against incumbent Judge Ruben Becerra in the May runoff.

“I’m here to set the record straight,” began Sumter Gajdos. “I’m running for Hays County judge as an independent because of you, commissioner Cohen. Your inability to tell the truth is astonishing. Your willingness to mislead and outright lie to get a vote is despicable.”

As she was finishing the previous sentence, former Hays County Democratic chair Jon Leonard spoke up from the back of the crowd, asking for the court to make Sumter Gajdos stop, due to alleged violations of the rules of the courtroom. Becerra responded, requesting Leonard to let her continue with her allotted time.

Leonard continued to interrupt the speaker five more times, with Becerra warning him several times throughout Sumter Gajdos’ attempt to speak.

“Who’s running this court,” asked the former chair. “You need to ask her to stop making personal attacks.”

As the bailiffs approached Leonard, he continued to state that he is “not getting up until this court enforces its own rules.”

Commissioner Morgan Hammer requested a legal opinion on the matter, to which assistant general counsel Jordan Powell noted that Sumter Gajdos’ comment is allowable within court rules.

According to video footage shared by Texas State House Rep. Erin Zwiener, Leonard was uncooperative with the bailiffs and laid on the ground as they attempted to remove him from the courtroom, until he was ultimately removed during a recess session.

Zwiener took to social media, following the incident, to share that “the decorum rules for public comment in the Hays County Commissioners Court prohibit using public comment as a platform to insult any member of the court or the public,” adding that Becerra is responsible for enforcing these rules; therefore, this was an “an unacceptable abuse of power.”

These rules are available on the Hays County website in Section E of the Rules of Decorum, which state, “It is not the intention of the Hays County Commissioners Court to provide a public forum for demeaning any individual or group. Neither is it the intention of the court to allow a member of the public to insult the honesty or integrity of the court, as a body or any member of the court, the court as a whole or any citizen or group.”

Becerra commented after the meeting, noting that Leonard was someone he knew personally, making the decision difficult, but “in that chair, my duty is not to friends, critics or political sides. My duty is to the public process. We paused, consulted with the county attorney and proceeded to restore order, so the meeting could continue.”

“People over politics,” he concluded.

To listen to the full meeting, visit bit.ly/4vul4RR. 

This item stems back to February, when Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra announced his intent to instill a moratorium on future developments that requested more than 25,000 gallons of water per day, in an effort to allow the county to evaluate impacts and ensure long-term water security for residents and agriculture.

It was then followed by two tabled votes, one in February and another in June, citing legal concerns, but Becerra noted that the legal department has reviewed the proposal and updated verbiage “to make everyone more comfortable.”

The resolution was read aloud at the meeting and detailed that, alongside the emergency water protection review, the Hays County Water Development Demand Review Board — composed of representatives appointed by the commissioners court — would be established with the following goals:

• Evaluate proposed industrial high water demand developments and potential impacts.

• Review water availability studies, utility commitment letters, drought contingency plans, conservation measures and more submitted by applicants.

• Provide written findings and recommendations to the commissioners court.

• Recommend policies and development review standards.

• Review and make recommendations to the Hays County High Water Development Review checklist, which will be published on the county’s website.

It also stated that this was brought forth due to: historic drops in aquifer levels; drought declaration; declining surface and ground water supplies; onsite sewage limits; runoff risks; emergency response burden; and infrastructure impacts; as well as the fact that “industrial high water-use projects present a significant risk to public health and groundwater quality, due to potential soil, sustainability limitations, system capacity overloads and increased stormwater runoff risks.”

With this proposed resolution, the court would defer consideration of discretionary approvals associated with industrial water use projects for 180 days. The industrial water use projects are described as any industrial development or operation meeting any of the following: “requests anticipated water demand of more than 25,000 gallons of water per day for industrial use or the project includes data processing, server hosting, cloud computing or comparable facilities designed for an electrical load of five megawatts or greater; or the project includes industrial cooling, operations requiring more than 10,000 gallons of water per day of ongoing water for the thermal management; or the project includes one or more onsite sewage facility subject to review under [Texas Commission on Environmental Quality] rules, due to system size, site condition or surface water or ground water concerns.”

Prior to the vote, several community members voiced their support for the resolution, including resident Liz Sumter Gajdos, who shared that there are many ways the court can “stamp down” artificial intelligence data centers and this is one of them: “The 180-day pause isn’t going to hurt anybody. If you’re going to sit here and wait for the perfect document, you will continue to put people at risk … I urge you today to vote, ‘Yes’ for this and let’s start protecting the citizens and listening to them.”

Resident Bobby Levinski praised the language used, stating that it is “firm and recognizes the urgency of the situation and explores what we can do as a community together.”

Requesting reassurance from legal counsel was commissioner Michelle Cohen. In response, Assistant District Attorney Chase Young noted that the vast majority of the resolution is fine, but there is a “small exposure” in the exercise of discretionary acts; however, “while that might risk a suit, that’s something that we would have good standing to have defense against.”

Cohen stated that with this information, she was in full support, but that she was concerned with the logistics of creating the board, due to the 180 days beginning immediately.

Concerns have also been addressed for commissioner Walt Smith, who shared that he now feels comfortable supporting the resolution. He also was in agreement with Becerra’s comment of extending the pause until Dec. 31 and letting the future court determine how to move forward with the board.

“Data centers are not compatible with us or Hays County,” said commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe, discussing adding that the court should remove tax incentives. “We’ve had discussions about it; we’re not willing to give incentives to data centers and I think we need to continue to hold firm with that. I know we can’t tie the hands of the future courts, but I think this court is dedicated to not doing that and so, I’m in full support, judge, of this resolution.”

Commissioner Morgan Hammer echoed similar thoughts, emphasizing that it expresses the court’s stance against data centers, so she was in favor of the resolution, as well.

Another suggestion was provided by Smith in an effort to match state definition, which was to specify 25,000 gallons per day in the onsite sewage section, as well as the anticipated water demand usage.

He also noted that he’d like to require full disclosure of any political contributions any member of the court may have received from representatives of data centers, following research done on a previous lawsuit, where court members were named: “We can’t mandate what these centers are doing in certain areas, [but] what we can do is mandate what we as members of the court do.”

The final suggestions to be made to the resolution include:

• Stating that there will be no Chapter 381 tax incentives.

• Each commissioner will be required to appoint two Hays County residents to the board in the next two weeks to accelerate the first meeting.

• Changing the verbiage of “industrial high water use” to “industrial significant water use.”

• The extension will continue until Dec. 31.

• To be consistent with 25,000 gallons throughout.

• Add a voluntary disclosure of whether  key contributor to a industrial significant water use project has made a political contribution to a court member.

Smith prompted the idea of having two commissioners on the board, as some of the residents may not be knowledgeable on what can and cannot be recommended. He motioned to have commissioners Ingalsbe and Hammer serve on the board, which passed unanimously.

The resolution, with the aforementioned amendments, passed 6-0.

To listen to the discussion, visit bit.ly/4vul4RR.

The Hays County Commissioners Court will meet next July 7. 

The results of the election were presented by Survey and Ballot Systems, Inc., the independent, third-party company that handles the PEC’s election management services. For District 2, St. James won 55.1% of the votes and, for District 3, Ekrut won 53% of the votes. Approximately 7.3% of members across the two districts voted in the election.

St. James takes over for longtime PEC board member Emily Pataki, who reached the board’s term limit after serving 12 years, most recently as PEC’s board president.

According to a PEC news release, St. James said he is committed to serving his community and addressing the cooperative’s rates. He joins PEC with more than two decades of experience in the electric power sector and has served on the CleanTX board and on the board of the Latin American & Caribbean Council on Renewable Energy, as well as worked in partnership with former U.S. Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson to establish the Middle East-Americas Energy Council. He co-founded the Argentine Renewable Energies Chamber, which, in partnership with the local government and U.S. Embassy, helps establish policies that attract foreign investment in energy.

He has also served on the Parks and Recreation Committee, Economic Development Committee and quinquennial Charter Review Commission in Leander. He established Keep Leander Beautiful, an affiliate of Keep Texas Beautiful, and started another nonprofit, the Leander Foundation, to promote, protect and enhance sustainable growth in the city and enhance the quality of life of its citizens.

He lives with his wife in Leander; they have raised five children between them.

Ekrut has served on PEC’s board since 2020, representing District 3. He is currently a municipal judge for the city of Jonestown and an active member of the Texas Municipal Court Association and the Sheriff’s Association of Texas. Ekrut has also earned certifications from the National Association of Corporate Directors, the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and as a Texas mediator.

He has been a small business owner in Cedar Park for more than 30 years and is a member of the Lions Club. In his free time, he is a mentor to students at Lago Vista High School, an active volunteer and driver for the local food bank, a volunteer for the North Lake Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Friends of Balconies Canyonland National Wildlife Refuge.

A fourth-generation Texan, Ekrut and his wife of 35 years live in Jonestown.

“We want to thank Emily for her many years of service and leadership and we’d like to congratulate Mark on another term and welcome Carlos to the board,” said PEC board secretary-treasurer and District 4 director Travis Cox. “This is an exciting time to be joining PEC. Together, we’ll continue to meet the needs of our growing membership, while looking at ways to optimize our operations and ensure long-term health.”

At the board’s regular June meeting, directors elected officers and Ekrut will serve as president, Paul Graf as vice president and Cox as secretary-treasurer.

Earlier this year, the Hays County Commissioners Court authorized the issuance of Certificates of Obligation (COs) not to exceed $100 million for county offices/administrative buildings and facilities, which includes the Eastside Campus.

“This project represents an opportunity to thoughtfully plan for the needs of our growing community. By participating in these open houses, residents can help shape a campus that reflects our shared priorities and supports families across eastern Hays County for years to come,” said Hays County Precinct 1 commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe. “Investing in Hays County’s core infrastructure is essential to keeping our county working efficiently and responsibly as our population continues to grow. This project is about ensuring that our residents can access services in spaces that are safe, modern and equipped to meet today’s demands.”

The open house will feature an interactive, come-and-go format with opportunities to engage with county staff about services to be offered at the Eastside Campus.

“Community participation is essential as we plan for the future of the eastside. This format is designed to give residents direct access to the experts shaping this project and to ensure that the voices of our community remain at the center of the process,” said Hays County Precinct 2 commissioner Dr. Michelle Cohen. “This project represents an important step in making sure Hays County keeps pace with the needs of the people who live here.”

“As our county grows, so does the demand for our facilities and it’s important that our spaces reflect the level of service our community expects,” Cohen continued. “Investing in the Eastside Campus allows us to support our staff, strengthen our operations and create welcoming, functional environments for residents.”

Residents are encouraged to attend, ask questions, and provide feedback that will guide the county as the project moves forward.

For more information, contact Hays County Communications Manager Natalie Frels at natalie.frels@hayscountytx.gov.

Participating agencies include: Austin Public Health, Bastrop County Public Health Department, Bell County Public Health District, Hays County Health Department, Waco-McLennan County Public Health District and Williamson County and Cities Health District.

Summer in Central Texas brings more than sunshine and outdoor activities. It also brings seasonal health risks that public health agencies monitor closely, continued the release. Warmer temperatures, increased mosquito activity, outdoor dining and large community events can contribute to heat-related illnesses, mosquito-borne diseases and foodborne illness outbreaks. Through ongoing surveillance, public education, prevention efforts and community partnerships, public health officials work to reduce these risks and protect community health.

Regional public health officials encourage everyone to take simple precautions, while enjoying outdoor summer activities and community events.

"Over the next month, we will welcome fans from around the world for an exciting time, whether that is attending watch parties, riding down IH-35 and shopping at the outlets, experiencing our beautiful parks or exploring the many other gifts our Hays County community has to offer," said Matthew Gonzales, Hays County Health Department director. "Having an understanding and awareness of seasonal health risks helps people set themselves up to make the safest and healthiest choices to protect themselves and their loved ones. With just a few simple steps, everyone can enjoy summer activities in the safest way possible.”

Play it smart in the Texas heat

Heat and humidity can create dangerous conditions during the summer months and quickly lead to serious heat-related illnesses, especially for young children, older adults, outdoor workers, athletes and those without reliable air conditioning.

Watch for signs of heat exhaustion, including:

•   Heavy sweating

•   Dizziness or fainting

•   Nausea

•   Cool, clammy skin

•   Muscle cramps

Without treatment, heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke, a life-threatening medical emergency. Signs of heat stroke include confusion, loss of consciousness, and a body temperature of 103 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Call 911 immediately, if it is suspected that someone is experiencing heat stroke.

Taking a few simple precautions can help reduce the risk of heat-related illness while enjoying outdoor activities and summer events:

•   Stay hydrated: Drink water regularly. Avoid excessive caffeine and alcohol.

•   Limit outdoor activity: Spend time indoors or in air-conditioned spaces during the hottest parts of the day.

•   Dress for the heat: Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing and a hat when outdoors.

•   Check on friends and neighbors: Make sure older adults and others without reliable air conditioning stay cool and safe.

For more information, visit www.ready.gov/heat.

Keep mosquitoes on the sidelines

These precautions can help reduce mosquito bites and lower the risk of mosquito-borne diseases. Follow the 3 Ds of mosquito safety:

•   Drain standing water in flowerpots, pet dishes, and clogged gutters, so mosquitoes do not have a place to breed. Treat water that cannot be drained.

•   Use EPA-registered insect repellent.

•   Dress in long sleeves and pants when spending time outdoors.

For more information, visit www.texasmosquito.org/mosquitoes-in-texas.

Food safety is the winning strategy

Warm summer temperatures can create ideal conditions for harmful bacteria to grow, increasing the risk of foodborne illness:

•   Clean hands, utensils and cooking surfaces often.

•   Separate produce, meat, poultry, seafood and eggs during preparation.

•   Cook food to the proper temperature using a food thermometer.

•   Chill perishable foods within two hours.

For more information, visit www.foodsafety.gov.

Make staying healthy the goal

Large gatherings with people from across the world can bring infectious diseases that communities are not normally exposed to or may have less protection against. Protect oneself and community members by:

Watching for signs of common infectious illnesses, including:

•   Fever or chills

•   Cough or sore throat

•   Runny nose

•   Fatigue

•   Nausea, vomiting or diarrhea

•   New rash

If feeling sick, take action to decrease the chance of spreading illness to others:

•   Stay home or rest at home or in lodging if possible.

•   Avoid close contact with others until symptoms get better.

•   Get medical help if symptoms get worse or don’t go away.

Taking these precautions can help keep the community safer, while enjoying summer events and welcoming visitors from around the world:

•   Keep a distance if feeling sick: Avoid crowded indoor spaces when sick.

•   Wash hands or use hand sanitizer: Keep hands clean to help prevent the spread of germs that cause illness.

•   Practice respiratory etiquette: Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or elbow.

•   Stay up-to-date on vaccinations: Make sure routine and travel‑related vaccines are current.

For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/prevention/index.html

Local public health's game plan

An anticipated influx of visitors has prompted epidemiologists to enhance surveillance efforts and strengthen coordination with healthcare providers and public health partners. Ongoing communication and sharing information with regional, state and federal agencies help track emerging health trends and identify potential concerns early.

Key preparedness activities include:

•   Reviewing response plans and operational procedures

•   Increasing disease surveillance and monitoring

•   Investigating travel-associated illnesses and outbreak clusters

•   Monitoring food service operations and public venues

•   Sharing information with healthcare providers and public health partners

"We want all of our Hays County residents and visitors to enjoy a fun and healthy summer during such an exciting time," said Kate Esqueda, Community Health Services manager and public information officer for the Hays County Health Department. "Whether you're exploring the region, attending community events or enjoying our beautiful natural areas, a little preparation before you are on the go can make a huge difference. Simple steps can help reduce health risks to keep you, your family and the overall community safe all season long."

Protecting public health is a shared responsibility. Public health officials encourage residents and visitors to stay informed and take simple steps to protect their health. Knowledge and awareness of seasonal health risks can help individuals and families make informed decisions that support their well-being. Staying hydrated, preventing mosquito bites, practicing food safety and recognizing the signs of illness can help reduce health risks and contribute to a safe and healthy community.

Local public health information can be found at www.hayscountytx.gov/health-department.

BPCAAA has been active for eight years and provides a bridge between the agency and local community. The organization — entirely made up of volunteers — does this by supporting the endeavors of the Buda Police Department, offering a community touch through raising money for school supplies, educating different organizations about the agency and more.

“We present the officers with things that are of value to them, like last year, we gave them all Guardian Angel devices that are a safety device for them to wear on their vests and it basically has the same kind of LED lighting that their cars have, so they're more visible at night when they're doing a traffic stop,” the association president explained. “Those devices are lifesaving and we had raised enough funds and had enough community touch to provide one for all 29 of them.”

A large component of the association’s mission is education, especially through the 12-week Citizens Police Academy that was established to provide the public with the opportunity to learn more about the BPD and develop a working knowledge of its day-to-day functions and operations.

Wilson noted that they have also assisted BPD in hosting recent community classes about active shooters, as well as one called Stop the Bleed — for which they also partnered with the fire department — that focuses on trauma care in the field.

The valued relationship between law enforcement and the community also extends to other parts of Hays County, with the Kyle Law Enforcement Association (KLEA), which has been in effect for more than 10 years under its current name.

“Our main focus is centered on cultivating relationships between our officers and the community that we serve. Our main goal is to pretty much nurture a positive relationship and make sure that the community knows who we are and we feel that the familiarity with us tends to put the public at ease,” said Mark Spencer, KLEA president.

KLEA hosts several events throughout the year, including the Blue Santa program, which helps provide Christmas presents and food boxes for children and families — an effort BCPAAA also participates in— and Shotgun for Charity Golf Tournament.

Spencer added that KLEA also acts as an advocate when it comes to fair wages and benefits, as well as works with various organizations to ensure the safety of officers when they are off-duty to protect their families and themselves in a time where many have been doxxed, which is when private, personal information is revealed.

“Healthy officers [and] fulfilled officers are the ones that provide the highest level of service to the public,” Spencer said.

Officers often spend their time on duty working and it can be difficult to have meaningful connections with the community, but KLEA has been working for the last several years to change that, especially with the youth, Spencer said.

“We believe it's very important for us to get in the community, have our positive interactions, be positive role models [and] a positive adult figure in the community,” he explained. “We believe it sets our youth up for success and from time to time, we can help out families that are in need and make sure they have more of a personal connection with their police department because more often than not, we interact with the public on the worst possible day. So, this is kind of an opportunity for us to interact with them in a more positive manner, rather than when they're in the middle of a crisis.”

Being able to bridge the relationship between law enforcement and the community is important because a lot of times, there is some misunderstanding on what the badge represents, Wilson added.

“Buda is a pretty nice little tight-knit community, so we don't have a lot of dissension, but on the national level, there is. I believe this is a great tool to help the police department community police to engage people,” she said, adding that her neighborhood has had a recent issue of kids riding electric bikes in drainage areas, raising safety concerns, but she stepped forward to encourage them to contact BPD for help.

Currently, BPCAAA is actively seeking new membership to increase from its current 12 in order to continue “protecting our protectors,” Wilson said. In addition, she said that the association would also like to see some other goals come to fruition: a kids camp and explorer program; continuing education scholarships for officers; and expanding the school supply drive to a higher level in Buda.

As for KLEA, Spencer shared that one of the goals for this year is to be more available to the community as an open resource, so they have begun the process of contacting more of the local homeowners associations.

The Buda Citizens Police Academy will start March 29, 2027, and run through June 18, 2027, on Thursday nights from 6:30-9 p.m.  Class is limited to 20 students, so those interested should submit their application when open enrollment begins Wednesday, Jan. 6, at www.budatx.gov/839/Citizens-Police-Academy-2027.

Additionally, there is a 10-week Citizens Police Academy in Kyle, which is separate from KLEA, but does help the association with its events. Information can be found at bit.ly/4xBvXmo.

To learn more about the various associations, and find out how to support their causes, visit www.budapolicefoundation.org and www.kylelea.org.

The idea to bring the university’s 17th intercollegiate sport began three-and-a-half years ago, said TXST President Kelly Damphousse, when an old colleague reached out to encourage the start of the program. This same colleague — who was the head women’s gymnastics coach at the University of Oklahoma — suggested that Damphousse begin the program during his tenure as chancellor at Arkansas State University, but he was unsuccessful in the endeavor. Now, years later, he’s able to achieve this goal by providing an opportunity for all Texas D1 women gymnasts for the first time.

According to athletics director Donald Coryell, TXST currently has a club gymnastics program on campus, but hasn’t had a NCAA recognized division team since 1986, when its D2 program was discontinued. The new team will consist of students under a scholarship, follow the rules and regulations of NCAA and participate in the PAC-12 conference, which TXST has recently joined.

The conference is one of the oldest in the country, with traditions, history and championships, said Coryell. It features nine other institutions, four of which will be participating in D1 gymnastics — Utah State University, Southern Utah University, Oregon State University and Boise State University.

It is within this conference that TXST will host its own gymnastic meets, as well as travel to other states to participate in competitions. The pair have high hopes for these events to have more than 10,000 attendees and provide a cultural experience for the Hays County community.

But before the university can begin making these plans, it first has to build the foundation of the program, said the president and director. TXST has created a Steering Committee composed of alumni, staff members from the Athletics Department, faculty members, gold medal Olympians and gymnastics community members, said Damphousse, that will guide the institution on funding, infrastructure, staffing and general guidelines for the program.

“We’re receiving a tremendous amount of support, not only in the state of Texas, but across the country right now with this announcement and there is a lot of stuff for us to figure out,” said Coryell. “There’ll be internal support provided, as well as what we need to do as a university to make sure that this program is going to be successful. So, we’ve really got two areas that we’ll focus on: our internal support and then, our external support.”

This internal support will include hiring a new head coach. The perfect candidate, the director explained, will be “somebody that is a great person, somebody that we’re going to enjoy working with and somebody that’s always going to have the best interest of the student athlete in mind when they come to work everyday.” Once this individual is hired, they can begin working on how to recruit a maximum of 20 athletes needed for the team and the direction to move forward in.

The separate factors that still need to come into play is what led leadership to strive for a spring 2028 launch, though this is still an “aggressive” goal, said Coryell.

“We think there’s a chance here to compete for national championships,” Coryell emphasized. “There’s so many unbelievable gymnasts that are competing across the country at other institutions right now — Olympians. The history of gymnastics in the state of Texas — maybe the best athletes in the world come out of Texas — and so, for us, it’s just an opportunity to compete at the highest level and to bring a whole other level of eyes on this wonderful university to see all the great things that we’re doing here.”

The president echoed this same sentiment, noting that TXST has received an outstanding reaction, with this news, allowing him to shed light on its other achievements, including: it’s one of the fastest-growing universities in the state and across the country; it’ll be a Research 1 university by the end of the year; graduation rates are beginning to set records and more.

At this time, the institution is not considering a D1 men’s gymnastics team. Instead, it is focusing on the void it is able to fill for women.

“Women’s gymnastics is one of the fastest-growing spectator sports in the world. When you watch the Olympics, the number one viewed summer Olympic sport is women’s gymnastics. So, as Don mentioned earlier, there’s 40,000 young women who have not graduated high school right now who are competing in women’s gymnastics and wanting to go on to D1 competition and we want to serve those students,” said Damphousse.

“This is a win for us and it’s a win for them,” Coryell concluded.

For more information, visit www.txst.com/sports/gymnastics.

This follows previous tabling that occurred Feb. 24 by the court amid discussion surrounding the rapidly diminishing water resources in both the county and Texas as a whole, as previously reported by the Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch. Judge Ruben Becerra announced his intent for a moratorium on future developments that requested more than 20,000 gallons of water per day, in an effort to allow the county to evaluate impacts and ensure long-term water security for residents and agriculture.

At the time, the pause was tabled by the court due to legal concerns, which have been brought forward again June 9.

Along with a 180-day temporary pause on the review and approval for high-water-use and large-scale industrial projects, the resolution, sponsored by Becerra, would also:

• Direct the Office of Emergency Management and county legal counsel to identify lawful tools under Gov. Greg Abbott’s drought disaster proclamation

• Call for a joint regional environmental review

• Formally petition for a special legislative session to increase county authority to protect groundwater resources and regulate the water impacts of high-water-use projects

• Authorize the creation of the Hays County Water Advisory Task Force

Some residents, like Liz Gajdos-Potolicchio (Sumter), who previously served as a Hays County judge, emphasized the need to protect water resources.

“The people here really are suffering in terms of their water usage. They’re conserving as much as they can. We are losing water every day to new development. Our aquifers are being stressed. There are many reasons a pause is necessary,” she said.

Lara Long, a Wimberley resident, shared in her submitted comment diminishing water levels in the Blanco River, as well as Jacob’s Well that has ceased flowing and “whether one views these conditions as a result of drought, increasing demand or a combination of factors, they demonstrate the importance of careful planning and stewardship of our water resources.”

While she wants to support this type of resolution to protect water resources, commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe raised questions as it relates to the legal side.

“I received this proclamation at 3:30 p.m. yesterday. I hadn’t had a really good chance to review it and talk to legal about it. I don’t know if legal has even seen it,” she said. “What I don’t want to do is … We talked about the cost to our citizens and we know that other counties have been sued [for] adopting resolutions that they had no authority to do. That concerns me. Does it concern me more than the preservation of our natural resources? I don’t know. We need to consider that and see what the best direction is to take.”

In response, Assistant Criminal District Attorney Chase Young noted that one of the big issues he saw with the resolution is related to the petition for a special legislative session to increase the county's authority to protect groundwater resources and regulation of water impacts from the projects. However, he explained, counties only have the authorities that they are granted.

This, along with the county requiring studies that it does not have the authority to do, could pose the same legal risks as a moratorium, Young said.

Ingalsbe then asked if there is a possibility to review and make any changes to the resolution as it currently stands, to which Becerra said that he is “happy to listen” to any suggestions.

He also noted that, while there has been an idea circulating that his pursuit to pass the resolution was for a “political stunt,” he purposely did not bring it forward to the court again until after the election.

Both commissioners Morgan Hammer and Walt Smith highlighted that Hill County, north of Waco, approved a moratorium on data center developments and received a more than $100 million lawsuit within two days, leading them to repeal it within a week.

Smith also recalled back in 2020 when he and former commissioner Lon Shell brought forward the petition to sue Kinder Morgan, who wanted to build a pipeline across Hays County. He compared that resolution to the current one on the table, stating that the difference is, under the Kinder Morgan lawsuit, they felt like they could make some impact, but he has concerns on some aspects for the current proposal for a temporary pause.

“We knew it was a losing battle, but we did it in conjunction with the city of Kyle, who stood with us and I felt like I would file that resolution today if we were facing a similar situation,” he said.

His major concerns relate to the county’s requirement to act on specific applications within 30 days, in which the county could be forced to approve them, as well as the impact on small, local businesses.

Ultimately, the vote was tabled to the next meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 23, in order to give the Hays County Commissioners Court and legal counsel more time to review the proposal.

To listen to the full discussion, visit www.hayscountytx.gov/commissioners-court-live-stream.

The Hays Commons development has been an ongoing discussion for several months. As previously reported by the Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch, the 340.88-acre lot sits at the intersection of FM 1626 and SH 45 in both Hays and Travis counties.

Before discussion, the court noted that 73 residents sent in similar letters against the item, citing water and environmental concerns.

Commissioner Walt Smith, who sponsored the item, began by stating that a variance was brought forward by the Hays County judge three times over the last several months: “We as a court made it a choice in the past that we would not do variances of this scale, without some type of development agreement (DA).”

Because of this, he shared that he sat down with the developer to “try to work out something for the general good of the public.”

Agenda documents detail that the DA would include a single-family residential and commercial subdivision.

However, the developer's presentation stated that the vote is not whether the development will be built; it is how it will be structured. For example, the DA outlines that there will be more than 200 acres of open space — protecting the site’s most sensitive areas — with 346 residential lots, one commercial lot and one amenity lot. But without the agreement, it will be entirely residential.

Additionally, the DA includes roadways, drainage/stormwater facilities, utilities, water lines, wastewater lines and related storage facilities under Hays County's terms. The water supply, for instance, will be centralized, up to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality standards and use the Lower Trinity well. Without the agreement, there will be more than 100 individual private wells using the Edwards Aquifer. There will also be multiple creek crossings and a floodplain only for homesites.

“If at the end of the day, the public has spoken and doesn’t want to move forward with the development agreement, I’m absolutely fine with that. If it does come back, I will make sure it comes back more than 30 days from now, so that if there is any additional input that is needed or any additional suggestions, you have time to consider that,” said Smith.

The commissioner then discussed the lack of tools provided to counties by the state, citing the passage of the Death Star law in 2023, which prevented cities and counties from enforcing ordinances that went against state law. Despite this, Hays County has been listed as one of the most stringent amongst counties in a study done by the Edwards Aquifer, continued Smith, adding that this is due to the ability to create customized DAs.

“We use the tools we have in a different way and that’s how we use enforcement,” he said. “We tried to use those limited tools as best we can to address these things … At the end of the day, we need more authority. We can’t do everything that we would like to do, but I have to tell you: I hope and I pray that during this legislative session, whenever these bills come up that would give authority to counties to address some of the concerns that you have, I hope and pray that y’all take that one day — like you took today to talk to us — and go talk to [the legislature].”

Smith then motioned to table the item for 30 days.

Commissioner Morgan Hammer spoke up after, stating that she believes the DA is “incredibly flawed,” so unless the developer is willing to completely redo it, she would rather vote on whether the court should authorize the execution of the DA or not.

“I’m going to challenge commissioner Smith’s idea that we have no power, that you should go to the capital instead [and] join him as the lone resident that goes to the capital. Join him, please, and plead for power for this court. Let’s test it,” said Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra. “Call the vote to cancel this development agreement.”

Smith protested, stating that he already made a motion to table it, but because he didn’t receive a second, the motion failed.

Becerra requested for a roll call vote to cancel the DA, which ended 3-1, with Smith dissenting. Commissioner Michelle Cohen was not in attendance.

“Your theory just failed. Try again at the capital. These people are watching and they care,” concluded the judge.

Due to the fact that the initial vote called by Becerra didn’t have the corect procedural language, another was taken after executive session. The judge motioned to deny the DA, with a second from commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe. The cancellation passed 3-1, with Smith dissenting.

Although the DA was canceled, Hays Commons' development will continue under standard county regulations.

The Hays County Commissioners Court will meet next June 23.

The event, one of Hill Country Rally's largest fundraisers of the year, designated Foster Village as the beneficiary of proceeds generated from the competition.

"This event only is benefiting the people here at Foster Village," said Ross Van Burkleo, chairman of the board for Hill Country Rally for Kids.

Founded nearly 20 years ago, Hill Country Rally began as a small effort by car and motorcycle enthusiasts who wanted to provide tennis shoes for boys living at the Burke Center in Driftwood. Since then, the organization has grown into a nonprofit that supports children's charities throughout the Texas Hill Country.

"In 2027, we'll celebrate our 20th anniversary," Van Burkleo said. "We're close to scratching $2 million in 20 years. We're so blessed."

This year's beneficiary, Foster Village, was founded a decade ago in Dripping Springs by Crystal Smith and her family after experiencing firsthand the challenges of foster parenting.

"Anybody who has kids, I think we'd all agree it truly takes a village," Smith told attendees. "The proverb is true and we learned that there's really no such thing as other people's children."

Smith said her family's experience of fostering children revealed how isolated many foster families feel and how often they lack the support needed to succeed.

"There are thousands of kids in Central Texas navigating the foster care system," she said. "What we learned while we were fostering is that there is a lot of isolation and that families who step up to foster are often doing it without the support they need."

What began as a grassroots passion project has grown into a comprehensive support network serving foster, kinship and biological families. Foster Village operates a resource center that provides clothing, diapers, shoes, baby supplies and other essentials for children entering foster care or other crisis situations.

"Any given day, you're going to see kids and families there who have just been taken out of a really traumatic situation and are met with community," Smith said. "They get the essential items and support they need and we get to tell them it was provided by the community."

According to Smith, the organization's impact extends far beyond emergency supplies.

Historically, more than half of foster families stopped fostering within their first year. Smith said support provided through Foster Village has helped change that trend.

"More than 98% of the families we serve say they're able to keep going because of the support they've received," she said.

Since its founding 10 years ago, Foster Village has supported families caring for nearly 15,000 children throughout Central Texas.

Van Burkleo said Hill Country Rally focuses its charitable efforts on organizations serving children, primarily in Hays County. Through annual grant programs, fundraising events and vehicle raffles, the nonprofit works to identify needs and direct resources where they can have the greatest impact.

"We really try to focus on the Hays County area to be the most impactful," he said.

The organization hosts several events throughout the year, including a car show, championship barbecue competition, annual gala and plans to revive a golf tournament next year at Vaaler Creek Golf Club in Blanco.

Van Burkleo said one of the most meaningful lessons he has learned through the organization's charitable work is that recognition can be just as valuable as financial support.

"I delivered a check for just $2,000 once and didn't think it would mean much," he said. "The person told me it wasn't just the money. It was knowing somebody was listening and cared about what they were doing."

As Hill Country Rally approaches its 20th anniversary, organizers hope more residents will become involved by attending events, volunteering or supporting fundraising efforts.

For Smith, community support remains the key to helping vulnerable children and families thrive.

"It's things like this that make it possible," she said. "This is making it possible for these kids and families to get the support they need."

For more information about Hill Country Rally for Kids and its charitable programs, visit www.hcrally.com.

MHC serves individuals 17 years of age or older who have a diagnosable mental health disorder and a pending charge in Hays County. All potential participants complete a structured referral process and are reviewed by the MHC team to ensure eligibility.

Tristan, 22, of Dripping Springs, is one such individual who has completed the program and will be graduating in this summer’s class. A bodybuilding enthusiast who also enjoys fishing, snowboarding and drawing, Tristan said he started partying in high school, occasionally using recreational marijuana to recover from bodybuilding. After going through a mental health crisis, he was arrested and referred to the MHC by his attorney.

“I was going downhill,” Tristan said, noting how he saw an opportunity in all the resources the county offered to participants.

According to MHC Judge Elaine Brown, the county has executed several contracts to provide counseling, case management, housing and transportation services to the participants. Additional community-based resources are identified and utilized by the court to assist participants.

The program offers 12 months of services for misdemeanors, with a possible three-month extension, and 18 months for felony offenses, also with a possible three-month extension.

Success in the MHC is measured by personal growth, stability and self-sufficiency. Participants work toward goals, such as returning to school, securing employment, establishing stable housing and strengthening family relationships, according to a county news release.

“Many utilize services, such as residential treatment, sober living and peer support,” said Brown. “All these services work hand-in-hand to support their mental health, physical health and help them gain confidence in working towards their personalized goals.”

To complete the program, participants must stabilize their mental health, including consistent medication adherence — if prescribed — maintain sobriety from drugs and alcohol, achieve the goals in their individualized mental health and/or substance use treatment plan and follow all court orders, probation conditions and MHC program guidelines.

Every graduate who has completed the program has a unique story of perseverance and transformation, the release stated.

“I really love working with all the people in the [MHC]. A lot of times, you think of these types of programs as people just doing their job, but I didn’t even see it as a program. I saw these people as friends — someone who is actually trying to help you … I had everything hanging over my head and [the MHC] was like a breath of fresh air,” Tristan added, noting that he now has a job and is working out again with healthy recovery methods. “It’s definitely changed my life for the better; it gave me confidence and really helped me decipher and resolve what happened and also, how I’ve been able to bounce back from it.”

This commencement ceremony celebrates not only the graduates’ achievements, but also their dedication and commitment to rebuilding their lives. Each participant's success reflects their individual goals and the support of a dedicated treatment team walking beside them throughout their journey.

The public is invited to attend the ceremony, which will take place from 3-4:30 p.m. June 15 at the Hays County Elections Building, located at 120 Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos. Alumni and two graduates will speak and there will be a special performance.

For additional details about the ceremony or the Mental Health Court program, contact the Hays County Mental Health Court Office at 512-757-0795 or by email at kaimi.mattila@hayscountytx.gov.

Founded in 2018 by Deryk Van Brunt, DrPH and Marcos Athanasoulis, DrPH, CredibleMind provides a complete population-based mental health ecosystem, including analytics reporting on service needs, use and outcomes. Focused on early intervention and prevention of mental health issues, CredibleMind offers more than 10,000 evidence-based, science-backed resources that provide users with credible self-care options to improve their overall well-being without medical intervention.

The partnership will make CredibleMind an accessible digital resource for Hays County’s rapidly growing population of more than 300,000 community members, stated a Hays County news release.Expanding access to preventive and early-intervention mental health resources remains a priority for county leaders.

“Our community members deserve accessible and efficient ways to find resources that support their wellbeing,” said Matthew Gonzales, Hays County Health Department director. “The formal partnership between CredibleMind and Hays County is one of many steps taken by the Hays County Commissioners Court and Health Department to expand meaningful behavioral health resources for our community.”

The Hays County Health Department coordinates and delivers behavioral health services on behalf of the county. Behavioral Health Coordinator, Dr. Isabella “Izzy” Vigil, PhD, works with internal and external stakeholders to strengthen behavioral health systems, expand access to care and develop community-based mental health initiatives. The creation of the Hays County Resource Directory, community wellness events, cross-sector partnerships and now, the implementation of Behavioral Health 360 are among the initiatives led through this division.

CredibleMind is not a replacement for clinical care or emergency services, but serves as an accessible first step for individuals seeking tools, education and local support resources.

“We are facing a mental health crisis in our country and the demand for mental health services is higher than ever,” said Brunt. “We are thrilled to partner with the Hays County Health Department and provide on-demand, reliable self-care and mental health resources to help community members improve their overall well-being and flourish.”

Community members can access the platform at www.hayscountytx.crediblemind.com.

Powell brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of the cooperative and utility industry. He has served in multiple leadership positions during his eight-year tenure at PEC, most recently as chief compliance officer (CCO). As CCO, Powell leads several critical areas within the cooperative including regulatory affairs, compliance and ethics, policy management, risk management, cyber and physical security, human resources, safety and technical training and real estate.

Board president Emily Pataki said the appointment reflects confidence in both the organization’s future and the strength of its internal leadership.

“Christian Powell is a respected and proven leader who understands this organization from the inside out,” Pataki said. “He brings the experience, judgment and commitment needed to lead PEC into its next chapter.”

During his tenure, Powell has played a critical part in work across PEC’s operational, regulatory and infrastructure programs, helping to position the cooperative for the challenges of a rapidly evolving utility industry, stated a news release. Prior to joining PEC, he spent more than 18 years at the Lower Colorado River Authority, serving in regulatory and compliance roles supporting various operations and business functions.

“PEC has an exceptional team and a strong foundation,” Powell said. “I’m looking forward to collaborating with our employees, leadership team and board as we focus on serving our members and preparing for the future.”

In a note to PEC employees, Powell said he is honored to take on the role. He also thanked departing CEO Julie Parsley for her leadership during a period of significant growth and progress for the organization.

The Foster 50 Challenge, through the Pedigree Foundation, challenges both foster- and shelter-based animal welfare organizations nationwide from May 1 through July 31 to get creative in trying to recruit and retain fosters — a struggle that is found especially during the summer months as more people travel and go on vacation, according to PAWS adoption counselor Katheryn White. Other goals are to increase adoptions that come directly from foster relationships and ultimately, reduce length of stay in the shelter.

While Hays County is rapidly expanding, with new neighborhoods popping up all over, there is still a disconnect when finding fosters to take in the animals that the shelters currently house, according to White, who also shared the following most recent data for PAWS:

• There have been 67 puppies placed into foster care since March

• PAWS currently has 120 pets — including adult cats and dogs, as well as puppies and kittens — available on-site between the two campuses in Kyle and Dripping Springs

• PAWS currently has 55 pets in foster homes

The critical need has also been heightened by kitten season — which typically occurs in the warmer months as more animals are out breeding — and PAWS is seeing anywhere from five to 10 people per day right now, not knowing what to do when they find stray kittens out in the community.

PAWS also knows that it could benefit from being entered into the $240,000 grant pool that is divided up and awarded to the organizations who participate in the challenge.

“Back in October, we made an announcement on social media that our Kyle campus doors would be closing, but thanks to our amazing community that rallied behind us, they raised so much money [that] we were able to keep our doors open. So, we made a promise to ourselves [and] we made a promise to the community that we would do everything in our power to be more strategic and bring in funding, so we would never be at risk of closing our doors again,” White said. “When we stumbled across this challenge, we thought it could help kind of fit those two sore spots for us, so continuing to find funding and then, continuing to save lives.”

The organizations are called on by the Pedigree Foundation to get creative in how they work to increase their number of fosters. While PAWS is implementing new initiatives, like taking an active approach in asking for help, one thing remains true: a focus on the community.

White shared that at PAWS’ Kyle campus, they hosted a “kitten shower” event a few weeks ago where they were able to take an active role in educating the community in what it means to foster and how to sign up. Knowing that it can be intimidating, they also had a baby kitten bottle feeding demonstration conducted by their medical and foster team to “start breaking down those barriers and having conversations with our community to make fostering seem less scary and daunting and then, also to let them know, ‘You're not alone when you take a foster home. Our team is right here next to you every step of the way,’” the adoption counselor said.

PAWS is also working to promote its animals for the first time, as well as increasing adoption events in Hays County, but also further into the Austin area.

White explained that they have also expanded their reach by listing the animals who need a medical foster to adopt on the PAWS website; this could be for a kitten who has a respiratory infection or ringworm or a dog who has heartworms and needs to undergo treatment, for example.

“[It] gets them out of our shelter environment [and] towards the decreasing length of stay, but also gets the animal out of that stressful kennel [and] shelter environment, which helps their overall healing process. You're more likely to get better and feel better when you're cozy in a home and not in a kennel, but for the first time, we're kind of opening that up and making those types of foster to adopt situations more accessible to our community,” she said. “We've been able to send a few pets into those medical foster to adopt with the ultimate goal of them getting healthy and then, an adoption at the end, which is great.”

PAWS encourages the community to sign up to foster, however that looks: “That is how you can help us save lives and depending on what their lifestyle looks like. We need people who are committed to fostering animals for two months, but we also need people who maybe they're a little bit more busy Monday through Friday, but they can take a dog for a shelter break Friday night, Saturday night and return the dog on Sunday for weekend sleepovers,” White said.

Those who are unable to foster are encouraged to help share the word on social media, but also by helping keep the supplies that PAWS gives to the current foster families. White shared that they are in "desperate need” of kitten supplies, including litter, formula, food, litter boxes and more.

“If you can't support us through this challenge by actively fostering — we know not everyone can — help support us by providing the supplies we need that we can extend to people who step up to foster,” she said. “Both of them are critical pieces of this challenge and then, also just engaging with us on social media, sharing our foster posts and helping us just get the word out about the amazing animals we have.”

PAWS is offering its challenge at both the Kyle and Dripping Springs campuses. To learn more about how to foster, or to ask any questions, visit the PAWS website www.pawsshelter.org and follow its Facebook page at bit.ly/4axNyS6.

No cases have been reported in Hays County at this time, stated a news release from the judge’s office. Current detections remain confined to South Texas, but Hays County Emergency Management and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension are actively monitoring developments and maintaining communication with state and federal partners.

"Hays County has always taken a proactive approach to emergency preparedness," said Becerra. "Whether the challenge is drought, wildfire, severe weather, public health concerns or agricultural threats, our responsibility is to stay informed, communicate clearly and ensure our residents have access to reliable information and resources."

NWS is a parasitic fly whose larvae feed on living tissue through open wounds in animals. Livestock, wildlife, horses, goats, dogs, cats and other warm-blooded animals can be affected if infestations go untreated.

Hays County encourages livestock owners and animal caretakers to:

• Regularly inspect animals for wounds or signs of infection.

• Promptly treat cuts, surgical sites and newborn animal navels.

• Monitor animals closely during periods of increased fly activity.

• Contact a veterinarian regarding appropriate prevention and treatment measures.

• Report any suspected infestations immediately.

Signs of possible infestation may include the following: deep or worsening wounds; bloody discharge or foul odors from wounds; visible maggots or larvae in living tissue; and animals showing signs of pain, distress, lethargy or unusual behavior.

If NWS is suspected:

• Immediately isolate the affected animal.

• Do not transport the animal until advised by animal health officials.

• Contact a veterinarian.

• Report suspected cases to the Texas Animal Health Commission at 1-800-550-8242.

Judge Becerra’s office is continuing to coordinate with Hays County Emergency Management, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, agricultural partners, veterinarians and state and federal officials to ensure local ranchers, livestock owners and residents receive timely information and resources as conditions evolve.

"At this time, there is no cause for panic," Becerra said. "However, there is every reason to remain informed. We will continue working alongside our local, regional, state and federal partners to ensure Hays County is prepared and our agricultural community remains supported."

For additional information, residents may visit screwworm.gov or contact the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office in Hays County, located at 200 Stillwater Road, Suite 102, Wimberley, by calling (512) 393-2120 or emailing hays-tx@tamu.edu.

The Red Cross is making an investment by providing all new and enhanced appliances to update the existing service kitchen, while the Price Center is utilizing savings and reserve facility improvement funds from last year’s campaign to complete the remodeling project.

“The Price Center is such a well-known and accessible venue in San Marcos making it an ideal location for a disaster feeding kitchen,” stated Alyssa Ramirez, Hays County CAP coordinator. “We are so thankful for the organization’s willingness to serve the community in this way. These partnerships are ensuring San Marcos, and Hays County, are more ready, resilient and equipped in times of emergencies.

The partnership came about through the efforts of relatively new Price Center board member Brent Salone, who presented the opportunity to the board earlier this spring, continued the release. The new partnership enables the Price Center to continue serving the community by being a direct part of response and recovery efforts, while connecting the facility to the area-wide Hays Resilience Network of local Red Cross partners for other potential coordination and collaboration.

This initiative demonstrates the American Red Cross’ commitment to lessen the impact of extreme weather events and disaster caused displacement in high-risk areas, the news release said. Main goals of the program include: helping people safely remain in their homes; improving the conditions for those who are forced from their homes; and accelerating access to healthy and stable living environments before, during and after disasters.

Hays County is one of nineteen counties throughout the nation that the Red Cross has invested in through CAP.

The enhanced kitchen at the Price Center is slated to be ready to respond to disaster recovery with food prep and/or pre-made food distributed through the facility by late-June. Volunteer recruitment and community education are additional commitments the Price Center has made to the Red Cross as part of the agreement. Full kitchen demolition began after some flooring and plumbing repairs were completed by the city, which owns the property. Reconstruction began May 26 and is expected to last approximately three weeks.

“The partnership is the perfect example of the kind of win, win relationships we enjoy with a number of individuals and organizations that help keep the Price Center fully operating,” said Clay DeStefano, executive director. “We could not be more pleased for the opportunity or grateful for the funds to take on this much needed renovation and enhancement,” he added.

For more information about any of the activities at the Price Center, call 512-392-2900, stop by the Center at 222 W. San Antonio St., visit price-center.org or Facebook @ Price Center and Garden or Instagram @smtxpricecenter.

When he was heading to a friend’s home in the Big Sky community of Dripping Springs, Trevor noticed a neighboring door standing open and from a distance, he saw what appeared to be a pool of blood. Knowing that something needed to be done, he then raced back home — first on scooter and then, on foot — while also trying to flag down help along the way.

“I pull up in [my friend’s] sidewalk and I look to the house to the right and I see a man covered with blood. Then, he mumbles some words I can’t understand, so now I ride back down the hill and go into my house,” he said. “I saw him and a little part of me thought, ‘Is he actually hurt? What happened?’ He needs help and I am going to go.”

From the time he left on his scooter to when he returned to his house, it was just under three minutes. He explained to his dad, Marc DuBransky, what was happening and he called 911, leading first responders to arrive on scene within less than 10 minutes.

“When Trevor came back, he had a sense of urgency to his voice and to his face that I don’t think I’ve ever actually seen before. In 10 seconds, I knew exactly what was going on and just the clarity in which he expressed what was going on and what I needed to do. I'd like to imagine that any parent that sees their kid do something like that, that they're going to act kind of in the same way I did without hesitation and just go into action mode,” Mark said.

Trevor’s sense of urgency and lifesaving actions are something that both of his parents are proud of.

“I was very impressed with his quick thinking. He immediately knew, ‘Hey, I've got to get to an adult.’ I'm very proud of him and I'm very thankful we were able to help save that man's life,” Mark continued.

His mom, Tanisha, echoed the same points as she heard a recollection of the events secondhand because she was out of town at the time, but hearing the story over the phone left her filled with overwhelming emotions. He was also carrying out his duties that he learned in the Hays County Junior Deputy Academy, which he has attended for the last three years, the mom added.

“A lot of people react when they see a lot of blood, they might freeze, even adults. They might get faint or feel like they're going to pass out. I was emotional because of that poor man and also just super proud of him as well and impressed,” she shared.

Additionally, Trevor was recognized at the May 19 Dripping Springs City Council meeting for his heroism. This was brought on by Tanisha sharing what happened with a close friend, who took the liberty to email the mayor directly, saying “we have a hero in Dripping Springs.”

It was there that the 12-year-old also received multiple challenge coins — small medallions that represent an achievement or affiliation to a specific group, like the military or law enforcement community — to add to his collection. Along with those, he received a lifesaving award from Hays County Sheriff Anthony Hipolio and a heroism certificate from the city.

“Trevor’s just Trevor to us, but he is definitely a hero in our eyes with what he was able to do and we are thankful that he was able to just be aware and act so quickly,” Tanisha said.

“Trevor’s actions reflect a remarkable presence of mind, bravery, compassion well beyond his years. He exemplifies the very best of Dripping Springs, reminding us that heroes don’t wait; they act,” Mayor Bill Foulds stated.

The family has remained close with the 95-year-old man, John Fednya, whom Trevor helped save, and they were even able to go pick him up to accompany them at the city council meeting.

The Hays County Child Protective Board was created in 1978 to ensure that children in the care of Child Protective Services are provided with emergency resources to minimize the trauma of abuse and neglect throughout Hays County, according to a news release.

The awardees for 2025-26 are as follows:

• Outstanding CPS Caseworker, Kathryn Garbutt;

• Two Foster Youths;

• Outstanding Foster Parents, Tran family;

• Outstanding Volunteer, Karen Housewright

• Outstanding Community Resource, Hays County Commissioners Court

The releases stated that the board is grateful for the court issuing the proclamation honoring the awardees. The board shared that it hopes publicly recognizing outstanding professionals and volunteers who engage in these efforts will raise community awareness as to the work that is being done in the community. It also hopes that recognizing the children and youths who prosper and grow in outstanding foster families will open eyes to the resilience and realized potential of these children and youths, continued the release.

“Congratulations to each award recipient. Thank you for your outstanding performance in working with and supporting families and children in Hays County who receive services from The Department of Family and Protective Service” said Dixie Camp, board president.

Kolacny has lived in Wimberley for eight years, but before her life in the small town, her memories were filled with the flavor of her favorite treat — kolaches — from her grandmother and music from her grandfather’s accordion.

Wanting to feel connected once more with her Czech grandparents, she set out to teach herself to make traditional kolaches that first Christmas in Wimberley, using the same recipe that encompassed her childhood.

“Within 15 days, I created an LLC, the business name, got the Food Manufacturer’s license, Food Handler’s [license], managerial’s license — all the things I needed — and I had the kitchen at the Old First Baptist Church permitted to be a licensed commercial kitchen,” recalled Kolacny. “I did that for six months and then, I shut it down in June because I knew I was not going to be able to do it full-time because … I had to still be a mom.”

Years passed without starting back up her business, Kolacny’s Kolaches, until spring of 2025, when she felt she had to choose herself and start baking once more. She worked on the weekends, taking her pastries to markets throughout the county for an entire year before choosing to resign from her teaching position in Hays CISD to bake full-time.

“I’m a person [who is] looking and seeing where the universe is taking me. My friends encouraged me and I feel this is my time to start a second career. I’ve been teaching since I was 25 and I’m 48 [now] and I need something different,” explained Kolacny. “I need something that excites me and makes me come alive and something that I can create and build and it’s all mine.”

She specializes in making authentic Czech kolaches and klobasneks. The first, she explained, is actually a sweet pastry, as opposed to the kolaches many Texans are used to, which are more akin to what klobasneks are.

“A true kolache is a sweet yeast dough filled with fruits or cream cheese and, typically, it’s circular in size,” said the baker. “I grew up with having them all the time and people think they’re just a breakfast food, but for me, it was like, you just eat them whenever you want to eat … A klobasnek is what people would call a hot dog or a pig in a blanket and that is just the same sweet yeast dough that’s made for kolaches, but it has sausage in it.”

Her personal favorites are a classic cream cheese kolache and a jalapeño and cheese sausage klobasnek.

Kolacny’s Kolaches will open Saturday, June 6, and has opportunities to order the pastries online or community members can pick up fresh single orders through the walk-up window. The building is located at Siren's, 801 Chestnut St. in San Marcos. Catering and online orders can be placed by texting 512-217-5582.

The journey to get to this point has been one of self-confidence and “taking a leap of faith,” said Kolacny, but it has been made easier by local business owners throughout the county offering advice and words of encouragement.

In the future, she hopes to start going to markets again, since this endeavor is pausing to focus on the storefront, and to build an authentic Czech bakery for her pastries.

“I just want to build a sense of community and want people to be happy … [as well as] honor my grandparents,” concluded Kolacny.

Kolancy’s Kolaches will be open from 7 a.m. to noon Wednesday through Sunday. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/Kolacnyskolaches.

"Gerardo is coming home," said Lupe Sarinana, his daughter. "This victory belongs to every person who signed a petition, showed up at city hall, called the [district attorney] and refused to stay silent. We proved that when we move together, we win together."

Gerardo was arrested March 14 during a traffic stop by the San Marcos Police Department, where local nonprofit Mano Amiga alleged no crime occurred. Following this, he was transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody and faced deportation, while his 17-year-old son Esteban Reyes remained charged with interference with public duties.

On May 12, the Hays County District Attorney declined to file criminal charges against Gerardo. The city of San Marcos also noted that SMPD officer Jaciel Cortina violated three department policies during the arrest and received a 24-hour suspension.

"A 24-hour suspension did not bring our father home. Community pressure did," Sarinana said. "Detention centers profit from keeping families apart. Politicians win votes on fear. But we proved that people power is stronger."

The successful habeas corpus filing challenged the legality of Gerardo’s detention and forced ICE to release him, while his immigration case continues. His legal team filed the petition after the immigration judge denied his application for cancellation of removal May 12.

"This is not just about one family," said Eric Martinez, executive director of Mano Amiga. "This is about a system that treats immigrant families as disposable. Gerardo's release proves that accountability is possible when we organize, but the fight continues for Esteban and for every family still separated."

Esteban's charges remain in pre-file diversion status. The family is demanding full dismissal of all charges against him. Furthermore, the news release stated that they call for greater accountability for officer Cortina, policy changes at SMPD and to end the collaboration between ICE and the police in Hays County.

Over the past few months, BPD has received complaints from different residents throughout the city, especially in neighborhoods, about what’s allowed or prohibited as far as the usage of OHVs, including golf carts, electric scooters, electric bicycles, pocket bikes and minimotor bikes, especially for young kids.

“We wanted to educate the public on what's allowed and what's not allowed, where things are allowed and not allowed and just to make sure that everybody stays safe, especially as we approach the summertime, as kids are getting out of school and maybe have a little more freedom and a little less supervision,” said Matt Schima, BPD public information officer. “We just want to keep everybody safe and informed throughout the summer.”

While KPD has not seen an increase of OHVs in its community, the agency shared that it still wants to ensure that everyone is aware of the rules and risks involved with using them.

Both cities enforce state law and local ordinances as they pertain to the use of OHVs.

Golf carts

Golf carts are motor vehicles designed by the manufacturer primarily for usage on a golf course. However, the following requirements are also in effect when operating them:

• Passengers must be at least 3 years old

• Golf carts must have side reflectors, rearview mirrors, parking brake, headlamps, taillamps, mirrors and slow-moving-vehicle emblem

• Operators should have a valid driver’s license, insurance, golf cart license plate. Full registration is not required. Parents and guardians may be cited for allowing unlicensed drivers to operate a golf cart.

• They must not exceed seating capacity

• At nighttime, specifically, they must have turn signals, brake lights and horn

“We’ve had a few complaints about young kids driving them with six to 10 kids on it. Well, it’s only made for four or five, so that’s part of the city ordinance. It can only be for the number of seats; they can’t have people standing on the back, things like that,” Schima said.

The permitted use and locations for golf carts fall under state law. They can be operated in the following:

• A master planned community — such as Plum Creek in Kyle — that is a residential subdivision or has a uniform set of restrictive covenants and a county/municipality has approved one or more plats

• A highway where the posted speed limit is no more than 35 mph if it is operated during the daytime and no more than five miles from where it is usually parked and for transportation to or from a golf course

A provision in the Texas Transportation Code also allows for a person to operate a golf cart in a master planned community without a golf cart license plate on a highway where the posted speed limit is no more than 35 mph.

As stated in the city of Kyle’s code of ordinances, they are also permitted in parking areas, which are accessible to the public by motor vehicle traffic designated for temporary parking and trailways or city-owned and maintained recreational pathways.

Golf carts are allowed on streets in Buda where the posted speed limit is 35 mph or less and is not part of a state highway system, as well as parking areas. They are prohibited on sidewalks, city parks and trails, city drainage areas and roadways that exceed a 35 mph speed limit, according to BPD.

Electric scooters, bikes and more

According to the Transportation Code, there are various types of electric bicycles or e-bikes: Class 1 is equipped with a motor that assists the rider only when they are pedaling and has a top assisted speed of 20 mph; Class 2 can be propelled without the rider pedaling and has a top assisted speed of 20 mph; and Class 3 assists the rider only when pedaling, has a top assisted speed of 20-28 mph, has a 15-years-old minimum age requirement and has a speedometer.

E-bikes can also be classified as those equipped with operable pedals or an electric motor fewer than 750 watts.

Electric scooters, as defined by the Transportation Code, are self-propelled devices with at least two wheels in contact with the ground during operation, as well as the following: a braking system capable of stopping, a gas or electric motor not exceeding 40 cubic centimeters, a deck designed to sit or stand and the ability to be propelled by human power alone.

A driver’s license, state registration and insurance are required, if these have greater than 750 watts or 50 cubic centimeters, to operate on a roadway.

The Transportation Code also defines pocket bikes or minimotor bikes as a self-propelled vehicle that is equipped with an electric motor or less than 50 cubic centimeter equivalent engine designed to propel itself with not more than two wheels, has a seat or saddle for the operator and is not designed for use on a highway. These do not include a moped, motorcycle, e-bike or motorized mobility device.

It is prohibited for bicycles, skateboards, roller skates or any other modes of transportation — motorized or nonmotorized — to be operated in any city of Kyle park on any surface other than a vehicular road or path designed for that purpose, states the city code of ordinances.

Similarly, e-bikes, electric scooters, pocket bikes and minimotor bikes are not permitted in city of Buda parks, drainage areas and trails. Scooters are also not allowed on roadways that exceed 35 mph.

“What we're seeing, and really across the county and across the state, is that a lot of young kids who don't have a driver's license, don't know the rules of the road, they're driving these e-motor bikes that can go really fast and they're not obeying stop signs or any kind of laws of the road and so, that makes it really dangerous for them, as well as the other drivers and even people that are walking on the sidewalks,” Schima said.

“They're also using those on the park trails and things like that, which can be dangerous when they're turning around those curves pretty sharp and there's people that are walking in the neighborhood on the park trails, so they're only allowed on private property,” he added.

It should also be noted that golf carts, scooters, e-bike and bike riders are supposed to ride on the road and heed all traffic laws, as stated in the Transportation Code.

Ultimately, Schima shared that the last thing BPD wants to do is take away the fun from the kids in the community, but they want to keep everybody safe this summer and continue to make sure that Buda is one of the safest cities in Texas.

“It's not fun for our officers to knock on the front door of the parents' house and say, ‘Hey, we took your child to the hospital,’ or ‘Unfortunately, your child is not coming home tonight.’ Those are the things that we have to look for when we're trying to look out for the safety of our residents and visitors,” Schima said. “Yes, we understand there are a lot of fun tools and a lot of things to play with during the summer, but our job is to keep everybody safe. So, the state legislature and the city council make rules and laws and ordinances in the best interest of our communities in order to keep them safe. Our job in law enforcement is to enforce those laws, again, to keep everybody safe.”

KPD echoed: “While OHVs may offer a convenient way to get around, there are safety and legal concerns that should be taken into consideration before driving them. We are committed to keeping our community safe and will continue to work with our residents to educate OHV drivers and enforce OHV laws and ordinances. Our goal is to keep Kyle roads safe for all to enjoy.”

To encourage riders to follow safety rules this summer, BPD and Buda Soda Fountain are teaming up to pass out Bike Safety Champions certificates beginning this month for those who are being safe on their bikes. Certificate holders will be able to cash them in for a free scoop of ice cream.

To report any complaints or concerns related to OHVs, call the non-emergency BPD phone number at 512-393-7896 or visit www.budatx.gov/111/Police. KPD can be reached at 512-268-3232.

Find more information at the helpful links below.

• City of Kyle code of ordinances: www.ecode360.com/KY6871

• City of Buda code of ordinances: www.ecode360.com/BU6262

• Texas Transportation Code: www.statutes.capitol.texas.gov/?link=TN