San Marcos police officers, suspect identified in ambush shooting

On April 18, officers from the San Marcos Police Department responded to a domestic dispute call when they were ambushed by a suspect with a rifle. One of the officers was killed and two others were injured, according to the city.  

San Marcos: One officer dead, two others injured after being ambushed by suspect with rifle

One of the officers was fatally shot. Another two officers have also been injured and were transported to Ascension Seton Hays in Kyle where they have undergone surgery. 

Kyle daycares to reopen under restricted guidelines

The mayoral order will go into effect at 11:59 p.m. on April 19 and will stay in effect until 11:59 p.m. April 30.

Hays County releases procedure for COVID-19 contact tracing

Confirmed cases are asked to provide names and phone numbers of people they have been around in the past 14 days and those people will be contacted.

San Marcos Regional Airport to receive $157K in disaster relief from FAA

The CARES Act includes $10 billion in funds to be awarded to airports for the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and from that $157,000 will be allocated to the San Marcos Regional Airport. 

Dripping Springs tourism industry experiencing 'crippling loss in revenue'

Dripping Springs has seen an 85 percent decrease in the hotel and lodging business since the city began social distancing practices, according to the bureau. 

Hays County reports first COVID-19 death

The patient was a woman in her 80s who had been living in Buda, Texas with a relative.

Some Central Texas parks still open for Easter weekend

All across Central Texas are similar stories, parks closed in an effort to promote social distancing during this pandemic. Not every park is closed though.

Tito's Vodka donates 75 gallons of hand sanitizer to Hays County Sheriff's Office

The Austin-based distillery donated 75 gallons to be used by HCSO patrol deputies, corrections officers, dispatchers and support units, says the sheriff's office in a Nextdoor post.

City of San Marcos announces new transit changes due to COVID-19

The city says its transit system "The Bus" will be adjusting its operating hours to 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. beginning Monday, April 13. 

City of Kyle opens 12 miles worth of trails for residents to safely go outside

Plum Creek Trail will be open every day until dusk and the Plum Creek golf course will be open to the public on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m.

HCSO warns of scam using "pending arrest warrants"

According to police, people around the county are receiving calls from a scammer saying they must pay a fine or fee to clear a pending arrest warrant. 

City of San Marcos creates COVID-19 dashboard

The site is designed to provide the public with a current count and other statistics related to COVID-19 cases in Hays County in near real-time.

Austin Regional Clinic offers drive-up COVID-19 testing

A site at its South 1st clinic in Austin is already operating, says ARC, and the other four sites will open by April 2.

Hays County starting at-home COVID-19 testing program

The test availability is a result of Hays County Judge and Director of Emergency Management Ruben Becerra lifting the FDA ban to release the test.