2025
September to December
DAILY RECORD STAFF
SEPTEMBER 3
City receives awards from Statewide Planning Association
The Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association has recognized the City of San Marcos with Planning Achievement Awards. The awards are based on originality, innovation, engagement, quality and promotion, as well as implementation and effectiveness.
The Vision SMTX Comprehensive Plan earned the top honor in the Comprehensive Plan category, and the Blanco Gardens Neighborhood Area Plan received a Gold Award in the Environmental Planning category.
SEPTEMBER 7
Library welcomes Hutson-inspired stained glass work
More than 200 people packed the San Marcos library lobby last Sunday to celebrate the dedication of “Homestead Revisited,” a stained glass piece by Sondra Kretschmar and Kathryn Welch. The work was inspired by San Marcos native Bill Hutson’s painting “Homestead with signs, symbols and numbers.”
Now installed in front of an east-facing window of the fiction and non-fiction room/reading area of the library, “Homestead Revisited” is the culmination of a collaboration between the library, the San Marcos Arts Commission and the Calaboose African American History Museum.
SEPTEMBER 10
Tiling for the Town: San Marcos assembles tile sections for downtown mobility hub mosaic mural
More than 200 San Marcos-area residents turned out for workshops over the weekend to assemble their own square foot of the tile mosaic murals Austin artist J. Muzacz designed for the Downtown Mobility Hub at 214 E. Hutchison St.
Muzacz and his team of assistants provided printouts of color grids to volunteers of all ages on Saturday at the San Marcos Library and on Sunday at the Price Center to guide them as they chose tiles from a “tile buffet” to place into a plastic grid. These grids will become part of the 228 squares that form the murals.
SEPTEMBER 14
Army and Air Force ROTC cadets mark 9/11 with UFCU Stadium stair climb
Texas State Army and Air Force ROTC members gathered before dawn at UFCU Stadium on Thursday morning to climb stadium stairs to honor the lives lost on 9/11 as well as the heroic efforts of first responders. Cadets climbed a total of 2,090 steps during the event, representing the 110 floors of the World Trade Center.
SEPTEMBER 19
TXST man shown mocking Charlie Kirk death ‘no longer’ a student Texas State President Kelly Damphousse confirmed that the man shown in a viral video mocking Charlie Kirk’s assassination on the Texas State campus had been identified as a TXST student, and that as of Tuesday evening, the student is “no longer” at the University. “I will not tolerate behavior that mocks, trivializes, or promotes violence on our campuses,” Damphousse said in a statement posted on his Facebook page.
In the viral video, first posted on X Tuesday morning, the student approaches members of the local branch of Turning Point USA Chapter gathered for a Charlie Kirk memorial at the base of the Fighting Stallions statue on the Texas State campus, which is established as a “free speech area” by the university.
SEPTEMBER 21
Reduce, Reuse, Rescue: SMFD partners with Green Guy Recycling for training
One man’s trash is another man’s training tools at the San Marcos Fire Department. During the biannual machinery rescue training class, firefighters from across Central Texas gather in San Marcos to practice using various tools in simulated hazard scenarios.
Green Guy Recycling provides cars, machinery, appliances and scrap metal to offer the rescuers a tangible training experience. Once training is complete, the crew at Green Guy Recycling hauls off the equipment to be recycled at their facilities.
SEPTEMBER 28
Fired professor files lawsuit against TXST
Former Texas State University Professor Tom Alter has filed a lawsuit against the university claiming that his First Amendment rights were violated when he was fired for comments he made during an online socialism conference.
“Yet, when Dr. Thomas Alter, a tenured associate professor of history, participated in civic and political discourse solely in his individual capacity, Texas State University terminated his employment,” the lawsuit states.
When Alter was fired, Texas State President Kelly Damphousse posted on social media that, “Conduct that advocates for inciting violence is directly contrary to the values of Texas State University. I cannot and will not tolerate such behavior.” Later that night, the statement was changed from accusing the professor of “inciting violence” to “inciting criminal behavior.”
OCTOBER 3
Mending Muse: Upcycle artist Corinne Loperfido hosts solo show at Eye of the Dog Art Center
Fast fashion has been normalized through the increase in online shopping and is constantly encouraged by influencer-promoted brand ads, but in a remote art sanctuary in the hills of San Marcos, one artist is pushing back against the business of mass produced, low quality clothes. Corinne Loperfido is an artist and sustainable fashion designer who has called Central Texas her home for the past few years.
OCTOBER 5
Styling Selena: Fashion designer Martin Gomez speaks at The Wittliff
It’s been 30 years since the Texas Tejano icon Selena’s life was taken, yet her spirit and energy live on in those who knew her and those who loved her music. In honor of the new exhibit, “The Selena Effect” at The Wittliff Collections, the star’s longtime friend and fashion designer Martin Gomez spoke to fans at a special event hosted in the Alkek Teaching Theatre.
Gomez discussed his chance meeting with Selena that led to helping her build her fashion and boutique empire. He not only designed some of her most iconic outfits, but he offered her a fashion friendship that let their creativity collaborate into wearable art.
OCTOBER 8
Downtown San Marcos named semifinalist for national Community Excellence award
Main Street America announced Downtown San Marcos as a Great American Main Street Award (GAMSA) semifinalist. This prestigious award is the nation’s top award recognizing communities for their excellence in comprehensive preservation-based commercial district revitalization.
OCTOBER 15
Aviation Discovery Fest highlights science and history
Aviation Discovery Fest brought history to life at the San Marcos airport Friday and Saturday with vintage WW II planes, aircraft rides and a variety of STEM experiments and exhibits. Guests also had the chance to talk with veterans and reenactors as they tried out simulators and several flight-themed activities.
“We are having an education event trying to get kids excited about aviation,” said Deena Clausen, Wing Leader for Central Texas branch of the Commemorative Air Force.
OCTOBER 19
Hays Court rejects Flock cameras From Texas State to Texas Monthly and now TV, Christian Wallace has written his way from the flat plains of West Texas to the peak of Paramount. To celebrate his success, The Wittliff Collections hosted an event that brought Christian’s words off the page and into the hearts of the crowd.
After an introduction from his former professor and Dean of the Honors College, Heather Galloway, Ph.D, Wallace took the crowd through his journey from growing up in a small oil town, to college in San Marcos, to his groundbreaking podcast “Boomtown” and “Landman,” the Paramount+ show cocreated by Taylor Sheridan and Wallace.
The Hays County Commissioners Court voted on Tuesday to end the county’s contract with Flock Safety for their License Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras, which means that the six Flock cameras currently in operation will be removed within 30 days and plans to add four more cameras will be cancelled.
The 3-2 vote reflected a divide on the Court regarding the use of images collected by the cameras, with concerns about the potential misuse of Flock Safety data outweighing support of the cameras as an effective crimefighting tool.
OCTOBER 22
No Kings protest held at historic Hays County Courthouse
Hundreds of people took to downtown this past Saturday to participate in the No Kings protest. This was a national protest where citizens across the country organized gatherings to protest the policies of the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and what protestors consider to be authoritarian behavior. This was the second protest of this nature with the first being held in June.
OCTOBER 26
Lights, Camera, Action: Hill Country Studios set to break ground in 2026
Originally slated to break ground in 2023 and open by 2025, the empty lot at Ranch Road 12 and West Centerpoint Road next to La Cima raises the question: What happened to Hill Country Studios?
Studio CEO Cory McLoud and COO Kevin Bar said that the project is far from dead; it’s just hit a few financing snags along the way. With the passing of a recent bill, there is now plenty of funding to get the ball rolling.
McLoud said the development is on “a sliding timeline,” but he is currently projecting to break ground in quarter one of 2026. ... “Actually, our first building can be expedited to be open as soon as 12 months from groundbreak,” McLoud said.
OCTOBER 29
Christian Wallace speaks at the Wittliff
OCTOBER 31
Hays County Food Bank offers resources in light of SNAP uncertainty
It appears SNAP benefits across the nation will halt on Nov. 1 due to the ongoing government shutdown. Over 7300 households in Hays County will not receive funds from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for November, according to data from the Hays County Food Bank.
More than 16,772 individuals in Hays County will be affected, increasing their food insecurity. The Hays County Food Bank is planning to help these households cover their loss of SNAP funding by providing additional food distribution.
NOVEMBER 5
One dead, multiple injured in four San Marcos shootings
One man died and multiple people were injured in four separate shooting incidents in San Marcos over the Halloween weekend. Ronnie Hernandez Jr., 19, was killed in the first of two shooting incidents on the San Marcos Square. At one point over the weekend, the San Marcos Police Department had to call for mutual aid from essentially every law enforcement agency in Hays County in order to “effectively manage” the large crime scene.
During a press conference on Monday detailing all four shootings, San Marcos Police Chief Stan Standridge said additional officers will be assigned to the Square on weekend nights when large crowds are anticipated.
NOVEMBER 7
H-E-B breaks ground on third San Marcos store
Shovels have broken ground on the new H-EB on the east side of San Marcos, adjacent to the San Marcos Conference Center. This marks the third H-E-B in the city and the biggest yet at 114,000 square feet. City officials and press were invited to a groundbreaking ceremony to kick off construction projected to finish in the fall of 2026.
At the event, Senior Vice President for H-E-B Central Texas Cathy Harm announced the new store will provide job opportunities. “This store alone will create over 600 new job opportunities, contributing to the growth and prosperity of this beautiful, thriving city,” Harm said.
NOVEMBER 9
Local churches host prayer rally in light of recent violence
Hundreds of citizens gathered around the Hays County Historic Courthouse in Downtown San Marcos Thursday night to pray for an end to violence in the city. In response to the multiple shootings during Halloween weekend, church leaders came together to uplift the spirits of the community.
Organized by PromiseLand Church, the prayer focused on unity, healing and renewal. Multiple church leaders from across San Marcos were present and each led a prayer for the town and its people.
NOVEMBER 12
Heritage Association celebrates 50 years
From bicentennial beginnings to a half-century legacy of preservation, culture and community, the Heritage Association of San Marcos proudly celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, marking five decades of preserving the city’s rich history, restoring beloved landmarks and fostering community spirit.
Founded in 1975, HASM grew out of the city’s Bicentennial Commission — formed in 1972 in anticipation of the United States’ 200th anniversary.
NOVEMBER 14
CloudBurst Data Center ceremony ignites protests
The sound of drums and chants filled the air as protesters stood on the street adjacent to the proposed CloudBurst Data Center site last Wednesday on the outskirts of San Marcos during an apparent groundbreaking. CloudBurst announced in February their plans to build an AI data center on 96 acres on Francis Harris Lane just southwest of San Marcos, outside of city limits.
NOVEMBER 16
LOST & FOUND: City staff helps real life ‘Toy Story’ come true
To infinity and beyond!” ... or more like to San Marcos and Wisconsin. The journey of a child’s lost toy played out just like the beloved “Toy Story” movie plot, with the Tello family bringing along their oneyear- old daughter’s best friend Woody for a trip across the country.
After enjoying time in San Marcos the family made their long trek back to their home in Wisconsin, thinking that Woody was packed away in their luggage.
NOVEMBER 21
The San Market wins Best Downtown Business in Texas
A spotlight is on San Marcos after local gift shop The San Market took home multiple awards. After celebrating their one-year anniversary back in September, in just over 365 days the shop has made a name for itself beyond the 78666 zip code.
Receiving “Best Downtown Business in Texas” from Texas Downtown came as a shock to coowners Kelly Bara and Janice Hardaway. Only weeks later they received the “2025 Emerging Business of the Year Award” from The San Marcos Chamber of Commerce.
NOVEMBER 23 TSUS Regents approve deal for TXST hotel
The Texas State University System Board of Regents has authorized Texas State University to enter into a development agreement with Midway Hospitality, L.P., to construct a full-service boutique hotel on the TXST San Marcos Campus. The board approved the development agreement during its quarterly meeting Nov. 20 in Hunts- ville, including a 75-year ground lease with two possible 10-year extensions for 3.04 acres at 429 and 403 N. Guadalupe St.
Construction is set to begin in the third quarter of 2026 with completion projected for the third quarter of 2028, according to a Texas State spokesperson.
NOVEMBER 28
TXST purchases 128 acres adjacent to Spring Lake
The Texas State University System Board of Regents has authorized Texas State University to purchase an environmentally-sensitive tract of land of approximately 128 acres northeast of Spring Lake and The Meadows Center in San Marcos. The board approved the $4.5 million purchase during its Nov. 20 quarterly meeting in Huntsville.
The property, located at 145 and 223 Spring Road, lies within the Sink Creek watershed and encompasses Sink Spring and Sink Creek, which feed into Spring Lake.
NOVEMBER 30
LET’S DANCE: City brings community together with inclusive holiday dance
The San Marcos Activity Center was alive with music and dancing on Nov. 21 for the holiday-themed Dance for Adults with Disabilities. The Parks and Recreation department hosts several throughout the year. The dances began around 2003 “due to a need for meaningful social activities for our community members living with special needs,” according to Parks and Recreation Marketing and Outreach Coordinator Christie Murillo.
DECEMBER 5
City declines Flock Safety renewal
The city of San Marcos is looking for a new license plate recognition camera vendor after city council elected not to renew a contract with Flock Safety in a tie vote. Flock Safety, which provides license plate recognition cameras for police departments, has been a divisive community issue. Hays County recently canceled its contract with the company with commissioners who voted to terminate the contract citing issues with the company itself.
DECEMBER 7
Uhland mayor arrested
The Mayor of Uhland was arrested and booked into the Caldwell County Jail on Dec. 3. Lacee Halayne Duke, 38, was indicted by the Caldwell County Grand Jury for Misapplication of Fiduciary Property $150,000 < $300,000, according to a statement issued by Caldwell County Criminal District Attorney Fred Weber.
The Texas Rangers and the Caldwell County Criminal District Attorney’s Office conducted the investigation that led to an indictment for the improper disbursement of $250,000 in city funds to Old Town Uhland, LLC. related to the 2024 Uhland Fall Fest.
DECEMBER 10
Rotary member shaves beard to help raise more than $13,000 for CASA
The Rotary Club of San Marcos hosted Court Appointed Special Advocates of Central Texas and raised $13,365 to support the nonprofit. The drive to collect funds came with a beard shave for one of its members who had not been clean shaven in a quarter century. CASA provides advocacy for kids in the child welfare system, according to the website. The organization trains volunteers to ensure foster children’s needs are met.
DECEMBER 17
Paselk wins seat on council
Josh Paselk will now be taking over the City Council Place 2 seat, after defeating incumbent Saul Gonzales in the runoff election that occurred on Dec. 13.
According to the Hays County Elections website, Paselk received 1,670 votes or 54.5% of the vote. Gonzales received 1,394 or 45.5% of the vote. Of the 84,996 registered Hays County voters, 5,923 voted in the runoff election.
DECEMBER 21
HATS OFF TO GEORGE! Kennedy Center ceremony honoring George Strait airs Tuesday
In August, former San Marcos resident George Strait was named a 2025 Kennedy Center Honoree, a moment that felt both historic and deeply personal to those of us who watched him come up. It was a welldeserved salute to a half century career built on integrity, tradition and a true Texas sound that never chased trends — only the truth in the song.
George was an agriculture student at Texas State University (then, Southwest Texas State) and had been playing with Ace in the Hole for about three years in 1977, when Kent Finlay loaded his yellow Dodge cargo van with a folding chair, an army cot, an ice chest and some guitars, and took George to Nashville for the first time.
DECEMBER 26
Once Upon a Bedtime: How a local toddler read 1,000 library books
Two-year-old Teddy Nguyen read 1,000 library books before he even started Kindergarten. Teddy’s parents, Becky and Danny, have been reading to him since the day he was born. Becky is a teacher and knows how important reading is to a child’s early development. “We started taking him to the San Marcos Library for story time when he was 3 months old. It is an activity he looks forward to every week,” Becky said.
“When he turned one year old, we substituted his nighttime bottle for two books before bed. That’s when we signed him up for his library card where he could track how many books he was reading.”
