Staff Reporter

Outsourcing inmates continues, case backlog shrinks

Fri, 04/26/2024 - 12:00am

Hays County Jail is full and has been outsourcing inmates to other jails for years. Due to the high population of incarcerated people, Hays County has been implementing various programs to attempt to divert people from the jail, such as the mental health court that was recently established and the pretrial services department. Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra has a standing agenda item during each commissioner court meeting in which he reads the current jail population, the amount of inmates outsourced and the cost.

Read more about Outsourcing inmates continues, case backlog shrinks

Police issue statement, say man killed was armed

Wed, 04/24/2024 - 12:00am

“I conclude with sincere condolences to the Malachi Williams family,” said San Marcos Police Chief Stan Standridge in a statement released Monday. “This is not an outcome that anyone wants, including us.”

Read more about Police issue statement, say man killed was armed

Court to receive results from homelessness count

Tue, 04/23/2024 - 12:00am

The Hays County Commissioners Court is set to receive a presentation by the Homeless Coalition of Hays County regarding the Point in Time Count, to possibly submit a grant application for increased training for the Hays County Mental Health Unit and discuss and possibly approve the county animal ordinance at the regularly scheduled meeting today. The court is set to adopt a proclamation recognizing Soil and Water Stewardship Week, which occurs from April 28 to May 5.

Read more about Court to receive results from homelessness count

Council approves student housing development with significant changes

Sun, 04/21/2024 - 5:00am

After several meetings with a large community turnout for public comments for and against the development at Lindsey Street and North Street, now being called The Mc-Lain, the development is officially approved. The San Marcos City Council approved the conditional use permit — requiring many concessions on the part of the developer, approved an amendment on the preferred scenario map on the west side of the development to High Intensity and approved the zoning change for the west side of the development to Character District-5 and Character District-5D for the east side of the development at the regularly scheduled meeting Tuesday.

Read more about Council approves student housing development with significant changes

Rules of the River

Fri, 04/19/2024 - 12:00am

Parks and Recreation breaks down single use container ban

Read more about Rules of the River

Pictured is Rick Hardy donating his book the Coati Kid to San Marcos Public Library Director Diane Insley. Photo provided by the San Marcos Public Library.

Retired teacher writes 'Coati Kid'

Fri, 04/12/2024 - 9:28am

A long-time San Marcos resident and retired school teacher Rick Hardy wrote a book, and all of his hard work began with a simple dare.

Read more about Retired teacher writes 'Coati Kid'

Pet Resource Center recommendations on the Court docket

Tue, 03/26/2024 - 12:00am

The Hays County Commissioners Court is set to receive a presentation by Austin Pets Alive! regarding final recommendations of the Pet Resource Center, consider a $75,000 three month extension on the Project Coordinator position for the Pet Resource Center, possibly authorize the execution of a contract amendment with Haitus Wellness for Yoga Therapy for Mental Health Court participants and possibly approve the appointment of Stephen Seddig as the Hays County Fire Marshal at the regularly scheduled meeting at 9 a.m. today.

Read more about Pet Resource Center recommendations on the Court docket

Council to consider a High Intensity - Downtown zoning change

Tue, 03/19/2024 - 12:00am

The council is set to consider a zoning change for approximately 1.1 acres of land at the intersection between Lindsey Street and North Street from Existing Neighborhood to High Intensity - Downtown, annexing Quail Creek and amending Rental Property Standards in the city code at the regularly scheduled meeting at 6 p.m. today.

Read more about Council to consider a High Intensity - Downtown zoning change

New department aims to shrink jail population

Sun, 03/10/2024 - 5:00am

Even after the recent expansion of the Hays County Jail, inmates are still outsourced to other counties due to overcrowding. It is an issue that has been ongoing for years, and Hays County has been working to reduce those numbers, as well as the associated expenditures that go with it. There is a relatively new department dedicated to doing just that. The Hays County Commissioners Court received a presentation on the status of the Judicial Services Department in the county at the regularly scheduled meeting last week.

Read more about New department aims to shrink jail population

17 year old San Marcos resident named Hays Youth Poet Laureate

Fri, 03/08/2024 - 12:00am

The article “City Approves Buc-ee's Incentives, Now To County” published on March 7, incorrectly stated that the San Marcos City Council voted unanimously in favor of the incentive agreement. The vote was 5-1 in favor of the agreement with Councilmember Alyssa Garza voting against. Councilmember Saul Gonzales was absent. The story has been corrected online. We apologize for the error.