By CJ Vetter HAYS COUNTY - Kitties and puppies were aplenty at the Hays County Courthouse on July 2nd, as County Judge Ruben Becerra hosted his birthday and July 4 celebration. As a way to raise awareness for animals and bring the community together, Becerra also dedicated the party to all the pets ...

By Brittany Anderson Following a wave of anti-semetic rhetoric seen in recent months in Austin and San Antonio, a number of similar incidents hit too close to home here in Hays County — and the Hays County Commissioners Court made it clear that it wants push back against the rhetoric. During its reg...

By Sahar Chmais  HAYS COUNTY - First, she sued the two Hays County Court at Law (CCL) judges, then she amended her lawsuit to include the Hays County commissioners.   Judge Millie Thompson, CCL #3 Judge, continues her pursuit in appointing a court coordinator of her choice by amending her lawsuit to...

By Sahar Chmais Former Hays County Chief of Staff Alex Villalobos resigned under the pretense of moving on to a better position – but this may not be the full story. Documents show that Villalobos has falsified time sheets and other negligent behavior. Villalobos, who was hired as the Chief of Staff...

By Sahar Chmais HAYS COUNTY – Inside the Hays County Jail, community members reported conditions such as inability to flush toilets, broken walls, lack of airflow, swamp gas inside and no visitors allowed, said Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra. But Sheriff Gary Cutler said that exact nature of Becerr...

By Megan Wehring HAYS COUNTY — Residents are not staying quiet during public meetings. Issues surrounding county spending and government decisions and continue to emerge during Hays County Commissioner Court meetings — Tuesday, March 23 was no different. Lloyd O’Leary did not shy away from disputing...

By Sahar Chmais Tension filled the air March 9 as Hays County commissioner dove into the problem of unreturned county equipment from former Hays County employee Alex Villalobos. Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra (D) had an extensive back-and-forth with Commissioners Lon Shell (R) and Walt Smith (R) ab...

by Sahar Chmais and Cyndy Slovak-Barton Alex Villalobos, Hays County top aide to the commissioners court, resigned this week, according to Pct. 4 County Commissioner Walt Smith. No formal announcement was made, but Smith said Villalobos was pursuing other options. Villalobos told the  Hays Free Pres...

By Sahar Chmais  HAYS COUNTY – The third delivery of COVID-19 vaccines has been confirmed for the county. Vaccines are state-issued in allotments of 1,950 doses at a time.  Next week on Monday, Feb. 8 and Tuesday, Feb. 9, vaccines will be given in Wimberley. The following week’s doses will be distri...

By Sahar Chmais Hays County is now accepting applications for the county’s relief fund. Hays County Commissioners distributed details regarding the Hays County COVID-19 Relief Fund, which is administered by Hays County and Blanco River Regional recovery team. The deadline to sign up for the program ...