by Anita Miller Hays County Commissioners last week voted to add a third officer to oversee pre-trial inmates released from custody and equipped with ankle monitors. The need is clear, according to Lisa Pacheco of Hays County’s Adult Probation Office. The number of defendants in the county’s pre-tri...

The Hays Free Press/News-Dispatch asked our two candidates for Pct. 3 Hays County Commissioner the following questions. This is what they had to say. Lisa Prewitt Candidate for Pct. 3 Hays County Commissioner Q: How would you maximize existing dollars to increase the county’s flood resiliency? A: We...

by Anita Miller Preserving natural resources in the face of continued growth, managing budgetary shortfalls during the COVID-19 pandemic, access by local law enforcement to surplus military vehicles and supplies and the future of criminal justice were all topics addressed by candidates in the race t...

By Megan Wehring HAYS COUNTY – Hays County residents had the chance to speak up during the commissioner court’s hearing about the proposed tax increase on Sept. 8, but only two decided to voice their concerns. The proposed tax rate for fiscal year 2021 (FY21) is 42.12 cents per $100 valuation of pro...

By Anita Miller County Judge Ruben Becerra is trying again. Becerra has called a special meeting for 1 p.m. Friday concerning the vacancy created when Pct. 3 Constable Ray Helm on July 31 surrendered his peace officer certification for life in order to avoid prosecution for falsifying records and ot...

Thousands of COVID-19 tests may soon be available in Hays County through the county health department for “frontline professionals” including medical personnel and first responders. This announcement comes just in time, as the county is making some tough decisions regarding emergency operations. All...

Hays County Commissioners have given the go-ahead to engineering and design services on a Jacob’s Well Road Corridor Study of the roadway from FM 2325 to RR 12. The firm of Freese and Nichols will provide the services at a cost of $850,000. The measure passed the commissioners court unanimously. Ide...

A study looking at benefits of legal representation at a first appearance before a magistrate for arrestees could be in the works in Hays County. The Hays County Commissioner’s Court approved a grant from the Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC) to participate in a study examining potential bene...

Left to right, Pct. 2 Commissioner Mark Jones, Pct. 1 Commissioner Debbie Gonzales Ingalsbe, County Judge Ruben Becerra, retiring NHCESD #1 Commissioner Walt Krudop; ESD District Administrator Doug Fowler and Treasurer Dan O’Brien, Pct. 3 Commissioner Lon Shell, and Pct. 4 Commissioner Walt Smith.  ...

A lawsuit alleging Kinder Morgan has violated the Endangered Species Act with its approach to building a natural gas pipeline through the heart of the Texas Hill Country has added new plaintiffs. The Hays County Commissioners Court voted unanimously Jan 28. to join the suit, which was filed by the B...