By Amira Van Leeuwen KYLE —Kyle City Hall was buzzing with excitement on Thursday, Aug. 25, in anticipation of city council unanimously approving the city’s new $212.6 million budget for Fiscal Year 2022-2023. Colorful balloons were spread across the upstairs floor of City Hall. City employees fille...

By Brittany Anderson KYLE —   Fentanyl is not just a “big city” problem — and with the drug causing the death of three local students in the span of a month, it is evident that there is a crisis right here in our community.   Various Hays CISD officials, along with local law enforcement and first re...

What is News Flash? Every week, the Barton Publications team highlights some of the stories featured in the Hays Free Press and News-Dispatch while also including information about the events that the residents of Hays County can attend that upcoming weekend. Check out the Aug. 24 episode here: Make...

Staff edit: Texas State University is not holding classes virtually for two weeks, as a prior photo caption stated. This was in reference to COVID-19 earlier this year, not Monkeypox.  Staff Report SAN MARCOS -- An individual in the Texas State University community has tested positive for Monkeypox....

[Editor's Note: This post was updated at 11:55 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 22 to reflect that the project is temporarily on hold.] Staff Report BUDA - The FM 2001 project is temporarily on hold due to forecasted rain. Updated information regarding the road closure/detour will be posted when it becomes avai...

Staff Report HAYS COUNTY — The Hays County Local Health Department (HCLHD) has identified two confirmed cases of monkeypox in Hays County. According to a press release, HCLHD is investigating the cases and working to identify individuals who may have had direct contact with the patients. According t...

Staff Report HAYS COUNTY -- Benjamin Wilcox, 44, was sentenced to 90 years in prison for several counts: one count of Sexual Performance by a Child, three counts of possession of child pornography with intent to promote and eleven counts of possession of child pornography. Benjamin Wilcox. Photo cou...

By CJ Vetter HAYS COUNTY - Hays County is partnering with Connected Nation Texas and local community leaders to conduct a new survey to ensure more broadband access for residents. Hays County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, but the extent of its broadband services can be diffic...

Staff Report HAYS COUNTY — Hays County Pct. 4 Commissioner Walt Smith has called on County Judge Ruben Becerra to issue a disaster declaration for drought and wildfire. Per the press release, Smith said that the county and state is suffering through one of the "most brutally hot summers on record," ...

By Brittany Anderson HAYS COUNTY — Eastern Hays county is getting another early voting location, marking the county’s 14th spot to early vote for the upcoming November election.   The Hays County Commissioners Court unanimously approved the county’s early voting schedule and locations on July 19, ad...