Rachel Sonnier

Contact Rachel Sonnier at rwillis@sanmarcosrecord.com.

Following the Centers for Disease Control recommendation for wearing face masks when in public to help prevent transmission from people who aren’t showing symptoms of COVID-19, San Marcos residents, like Johnny Peralez above, have begun wearing face masks. Daily Record file photo by Gerald Castillo

Stop the spread: How to make your own face mask

Sun, 04/12/2020 - 12:00am

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) now recommends the use of face masks when in public to help prevent transmission of COVID-19 from people who aren’t showing symptoms.

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Cutting costs doesn't mean having to sacrifice at-home entertainment, since many streaming services are offering quality content free of charge. Freeuse photo

Free streaming services for at-home entertainment

Fri, 04/10/2020 - 12:00am

As people from coast to coast hunker down at home to stop the spread of COVID-19, many are also trying to find ways to cut costs, which can create an entertainment conundrum.

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Above is a sample of a tabla for the Censotoría games that Mano Amiga and the San Marcos Complete County Committee are hosting on Friday's throughout April to encourage city residents to self-respond to the Census. Photos courtesy of Mano Amigo

Community encouraged to take part in Census

Thu, 04/09/2020 - 12:00am

Local advocacy group Mano Amiga and the San Marcos U.S.

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Infographics by Colton Ashabranner

County reports 5 additional cases

Mon, 04/06/2020 - 4:39pm

Hays County reported 59 confirmed COVID-19 cases on Monday, including 43 active cases.

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This information was compiled by the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce. Listings will be updated at Chamber of Commerce's website. Graphic by Colton Ashabranner

Local restaurants struggle to survive

Fri, 04/03/2020 - 12:00am

Local small businesses have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. Many have been forced to make hard and fast adjustments to stay open or in hopes of reopening in the future.

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Local muscian Marcus Morales performs at Triple Six Live! at The Marc. Morales is slated to play the Artist Aid - Streamed Benefit Concert Friday. Photo courtesy of Marcus Morales

Artist Aid - Streamed Benefit Concert

Thu, 04/02/2020 - 12:00am

1836 Music Group has partnered with the Texas Ski Ranch and Ragnars on The Compound to host a streamed benefit concert to help raise money for local musicians affected by the recent outbreak of the

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CenTex FarmBox, a sustainable and local food and goods delivery service, has just launched its website that allows customers to support local farmers, artisans and vendors without leaving the house. Photos courtesy of CenTex FarmBox

Fresh, local, sustainable food delivery

Sun, 03/29/2020 - 12:00am

Shopping for groceries recently has felt like taking a trip back to the days of hunting and gathering as a society. But in the midst of long lines at H-E-B and empty shelves, local food delivery services like CenTex FarmBox have been filling the gap. CenTex FarmBox is a hyper-local food delivery service that supports local farmers, artisans and vendors.

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The iconic Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain has opened its doors to the public via virtual online tours, along with many other world-famous museums. Freeuse photos

Museums open their doors virtually

Thu, 03/26/2020 - 12:00am

Museums nationally and internationally were some of the first places to shutter their doors when COVID-19 emerged — and for good reason, most of these bastions of the arts are in the world’s larges

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Emily and Hom Weusi, owners of Weusi Wellness Café and Str8 Training. Daily Record file photos by Lance Winter

Weusi Wellness Café innovates during COVID-19

Tue, 03/24/2020 - 12:00am

Emily and Hom Weusi, owners of Weusi Wellness Café and Str8 Training, like many local small business owners, are having to cobble together a plan to keep serving their clients and keep their busine

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Bill Nichols, Nathaniel Kindred and Doug Balkman place fries and coleslaw on plates. Daily Record photos by Lance Winter

El Buen Pastor continues tradition

Sun, 03/22/2020 - 12:00am

San Marcos’ oldest Hispanic church that also happens to be rated one of the best places to get a Lenten meal in town, El Buen Pastor, started their annual Lenten fish fry on the last Friday of February as normal. But with social distancing practices put in place this week in response to COVID-19, the church has opted to keep the tradition going, now with to go.