By Megan Wehring  HAYS COUNTY — Several Dripping Springs residents disagree with new urban development brought in by Hays County, saying it could wither away the small town atmosphere.  When newcomers sign a contract on a house, some assume they will find a captivating main street just down the road...

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 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 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...

By Anita Miller The Hays County Commissioners Court covered a lot of ground in its weekly COVID-19 update. Emergency Management Coordinator Alex Villalobos gave a rundown on ongoing testing, including plans to open a location on Hwy. 123 east of Interstate 35 in San Marcos as well as one in Dripping...

The impact of thousands of students returning to San Marcos for the second session of summer school at Texas State University drew concern from members of the Hays County Commissioners Court on Tuesday. The university says in-person classes will be held during the second summer session July 6-Aug. 6...

Securing additional ballots ahead of an expected surge in mail-in voting for the July 14 primary runoff elections, as well as sanitizing supplies for in-person voting, were among anticipated uses of a federal CARES grant discussed by the commissioners court on June 10. Elections Administrator Jennif...

The Hays County Commissioners Court on Tuesday authorized Pct. 4 Constable Ron Hood to continue to receive surplus military equipment under a controversial program now before Congress. The 1033 program was begun in the wake of 9/11 and was originally intended to give local law enforcement the abilit...

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.  ...