A candidate running against the judge accused him of emailing his students at Texas State to vote for him. State law prohibits using public resources for political advertising.

Hays County has reached an agreement with the United States after an investigation into providing accessible polling for voters with disabilities.

Three other cities have passed similar measures but the Texas AG and others question whether they can be enforced because of conflicts with state law.

The Hays County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday released bodycam footage of a fatal 2022 shooting inside a hospital seven days after charges were dropped against a corrections officer who shot a jail inmate.

The hail size peaked over Johnson City, where a 6.25″ hail stone was observed around 7:20 p.m.!

A popular Central Texas swimming hole has suspended its summer season due to another bout with low water levels.

The $1 million mega millions ticket was purchased at a gas station in Creedmoor, Texas.

Hays Independent School District has released two videos from cameras on a school bus involved in Friday’s deadly crash with a concrete truck.

Videos and photos show water flowing from Jacob’s Well for the first time in many months.

A man was arrested Wednesday in Hays County in connection with the fatal shooting of another man.

Two Hays County deputies shot and killed a knife-wielding man Friday.

The debate, scheduled for Sept. 16, 2024, will be the first of four for the general election. The San Marcos school would be the first Texas university to hold a presidential debate, Texas State officials said.

The Hays County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a 17-year-old girl who was last seen in the San Marcos area.

The neighboring regions are projected to collectively grow from 5.2 million to 8.3 million people by 2050. But the state still lacks an overarching plan to address critical housing and transportation issues, experts said.

The Hays County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a 15-year-old student as a possible overdose, according to the superintendent of the Hays Consolidated Independent School District.

Personal conflict between two newly elected Democrats briefly escalated into public view. An attempt to remove one from county office came in the background of university, state and federal impeachment attempts.

A man was found shot to death early Thursday at a gas station in Hays County.

Deputies in Hays County are searching for a missing juvenile girl who was last seen in Kyle.

The Texas A&M Forest Service has raised the state preparedness level after crews across the state responded to dozens of wildfires fires over the weekend.

At least one home was destroyed in the Hays County wildfire that grew to 400 acres on Sunday.

Swimming hasn’t been allowed at Jacob’s Well for the past two summers and newly posted photos of the spring-fed swimming hole make it clear why the Hill Country hot spot has been closed.

The family of a man who was shot and killed by a former Hays County Sheriff’s Office corrections officer has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against him.

“It’s important that we as parents have an obligation to monitor those devices. We have a responsibility to ensure the safety of our children. And when we fail to do that, unfortunately, evil is out there,” Opiela said. “Evil will find our kids if we don’t do our job.”

A day after Cortez’s arrest in Kyle, investigators identified a second victim — a 13-year-old girl who lives in Cibolo.

Burnt human remains found on private property near Kyle have been identified.

Diego Alejandro Cortez, 24, is charged with child trafficking to engage in sexual conduct and harboring a runaway child.

An 18-year-old man was arrested in the death of a Hays CISD high school student who overdosed on fentanyl last month, according to the Hays County Sheriff’s Office.

A Hays County general contractor was recently arrested for property theft.

A Hays County Grand Jury has indicted a Hays County Sheriff’s Office corrections officer after he allegedly shot a shackled inmate in the back multiple times after a scuffle.

Two juveniles and two teens from Austin were arrested for a string of robberies in Hays County, according to officials.

More than 1,000 acres of uniquely biodiverse land in the Texas Hill Country has been permanently protected from future development.

It’s a crisis that a local school district has seen up close. The Hays Consolidated Independent School District confirmed at least four of its students have died after overdosing on fentanyl since last summer.

One of the most popular swimming holes in Texas could be closed for the second year in a row after the second driest year on record.

Abbott declared disaster in seven Texas counties hard hit by this week’s winter storm. Austin has been the epicenter of a power crisis as tens of thousands wait for electricity to be restored.

A North Texas man was sentenced to prison for trying to blow up a natural gas pipeline in Hays County, authorities say.

Joshua Leon Wright was shot and killed after attempting to escape police custody at a Kyle hospital on Dec. 12. His family is calling on the Hays County Sheriff's Office to release the video.

Four Texas counties were evaluated in a 359-page audit released by Secretary of State John Scott on Monday, two weeks before he steps down as chief election official.

The jail inmate who was shot and killed by a Hays County correctional officer was identified Tuesday as Joshua Leon Wright, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office said.

For some local relief programs, a lack of staffing, political support and effective community outreach got in the way of spending federal funds to prevent evictions, a new report found. More than $30 million went unspent and had to be returned.

After seeing Democrats gain momentum in suburbs of Houston and Dallas, Republicans succeeded in reclaiming ground this election. But the GOP is still a long way from returning to pre-Trump support, even in ruby red counties.

A man was shot dead after he rushed Hays County sheriff’s deputies with a knife Saturday morning, according to officials.

An officer with the San Marcos Police Department was arrested after he resigned days after he was accused of family violence.

A Hays County commissioner who was charged with driving while intoxicated after crashing into a vehicle in Austin last year has been sentenced to nine months of community supervision in the case, Travis County court records show.

Pills that can kill -- two suspected distributors have been arrested in charged in San Marcos. Hays County authorities now warn communities in the area to be vigilant of counterfeit Percocet pills.

Another Hays Consolidated Independent School District student death has been attributed to fentanyl.

A Hays County commissioner crashed into another vehicle in west Austin before being charged with driving while intoxicated, court records related to his April 2021 arrest confirm.

One of Texas’ most beloved swimming holes, Jacob’s Well Natural Area in Wimberley, will be closed for swimming for the remainder of the year.

At least three Hays Consolidated Independent School District students have died in just one month due to suspected fentanyl overdoses.

An inmate being held at the Hays County Jail has died after suffering a medical emergency, according to the Hays County Sheriff’s Office.

Evacuations are underway while an active wildfire burns in the River Mountain Ranch area in Hays County, according to Wimberley Fire Rescue.

Firefighters have made some progress fighting a grass fire in Blanco and Hays counties. However, they are concerned the drought conditions and high winds could cause more fire troubles.

The Enchanted Rock State Natural Area and Pedernales Falls State Park are closed on Wednesday due to two wildfires in the Hill Country.

A 30-year-old man who authorities said admitted to shooting two people in Hays County was arrested in connection with the incident.

One of Texas’ most beloved swimming holes, Jacob’s Well Natural Area in Wimberley, will not allow swimming for the foreseeable future.

A suspect was charged in the murder of a man whose body was found by deputies last month, according to the Hay’s County Sheriff’s Office.

The Hays County Sheriff’s Office needs the public’s help identifying and locating a man they say robbed a Dripping Springs gas station Sunday morning.

A second-grade teacher in Hays County has been arrested on several charges related to indecency with a child and improper relationship with a student, according to police.

A man is in custody and charged with murder after Hays County deputies said they found his 60-year-old mother dead inside of their Wimberley home.

Local elections officials say an unexpectedly large number of ballots for the March primary are being initially rejected for lacking newly required ID information.

A 58-year-old San Marcos man who was on the Hays County Crime Stoppers Most Wanted list has been arrested.

Two San Marcos police officers will not be facing charges in a shooting that resulted in the death of a 31-year-old man last April after a grand jury cleared them in the case, according to the Hays County District Attorney Wes Mau.

It’s hog season year-round in Texas but, for a limited time, hunters can receive a bounty for the beasts in Hays and Caldwell counties.

A San Antonio-area woman charged with drunk driving six times in four counties has so far avoided a lengthy prison sentence, despite picking up additional charges last fall while on probation for felony DWI.

A Guadalupe County court-at-law judge said he prays his name and reputation will be restored, days after prosecutors in Hays County declined to move forward with felony child abuse charges against him.

A 35-year-old woman pointed a loaded weapon at a 7-year-old child who was walking in front of her home trick-o-treating, Hays County sheriff’s officials said.

The San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter attempted this week to move out as many dogs as possible due to upcoming renovations that would limit kennel space.

In a rare move, the U.S. government is giving up hope of finding 23 species, including one from San Marcos.

San Marcos city officials have offered yet another explanation as to why a police department sergeant was returned to duty late last year without being investigated internally for causing a fatal car crash.

A San Marcos Police Department sergeant, who was returned to duty late last year without being arrested or disciplined for causing a fatal crash, is at the center of another controversy involving misconduct, records obtained by KSAT 12 Defenders show.

A 35-year-old Hays County man was arrested Sunday following an investigation of an alleged child sex crime.

Hays and Comal counties saw explosive growth over the past decade, according to the latest findings from the Census Bureau.

Some thunderstorms on Monday may bring periods of heavy rain and strong winds

A Guadalupe County court-at-law judge was “heavily intoxicated” and in an enraged state when he forced his way into a home, striking his baby son with a door, arrest affidavits released to the KSAT 12 Defenders show.

A public funeral service for Justin Putnam, a San Marcos police officer killed in the line of duty last spring, will be held on Thursday morning.

Seven men were arrested in a sting operation that targeted people trying to sexually exploit and victimize minors for a fee.

The City of San Marcos announced on Monday that it will host a public memorial service to honor officer Justin Putnam, who was killed last spring while investigating a domestic disturbance.

The San Marcos Police Department is asking the public for help in identifying and locating a robbery suspect.

SAN MARCOS – Wait—did this song just skip? Sundance Record Lagoon is coming back to San Marcos this summer. “We’re super excited to announce that in June 2021, we’re going to bring this sign back to where it belongs in San Marcos, Texas, with the opening of Sundance Record Lagoon,” Escalante says in the video. The record shop told KSAT they would be aiming for a June 1st opening. Sundance Pop Up is happening at Zelicks in San Marcos - March 9th (Bobby’s birthday), 11th, and 13th!

A woman is in custody after she was caught “red-handed” after using red paint to vandalize the Dripping Springs City Hall building, according to the Hays County Sheriff’s Office. Surveillance video was later sent out on social media by the sheriff’s office, in hopes the public could help identify the suspect. When investigators made contact with Gibson, she was found with red paint on her hands and on the outside and inside of her vehicle, which matched the graffiti found on the city hall building, officials said. She was arrested for criminal mischief, which is a state jail felony, and was taken to the Hays County Jail. Anyone with more information on this incident is urged to contact the Hays County Sheriff’s Office at 512-393-7896, and to refer to case number HCSO 2021-14486.

SAN MARCOS – A man has been discharged from an area hospital after 132 days of battling COVID-19 and its after-effects on his body. CHRISTUS Santa Rosa officials say their patient, Alex Rivas, was fully discharged after his lengthy stay on Wednesday. Over several weeks, the 55-year-old developed complications related to COVID-19 and was eventually transported to CHRISTUS Santa Rosa New Braunfels after developing a heart complication. Rivas was eventually transferred back to the San Marcos hospital on Jan. 27. Now discharged, Rivas ends an over four-month hospital stay, no longer needs oxygen and can walk with the help of a walker.

Man shot by deputies after vehicle chase, Hays County Sheriff’s Office saysSAN MARCOS, Texas – Hays County Sheriff Gary Cutler says the sheriff’s office is receiving reports of motorists who are stranded and cannot be reached by fire, deputies or emergency medical service personnel. Cutler says he is pleading for Hays County residents not to drive during the winter storm on hazardous roadways. If you are driving in Hays County and become stranded, dispatchers will you the following questions:What is your vehicle description? However, there is no guarantee that emergency personnel can reach you or your vehicle. The sheriff’s office says that if you choose to abandon your vehicle try to get it off the roadway as best as possible and remove all personal belongings.

SAN MARCOS, Texas – San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson signed a disaster declaration Saturday and urged city residents to avoid traveling during the winter storm as it makes its way through the area and state. San Marcos police reported that they had responded to more than 12 ice-related crashes on Interstate 35 early Saturday morning. Hays County Emergency Management is coordinating the following temporary shelter locations for anyone unable to obtain other accommodations:AdSouthside Community Center518 S. Guadalupe St., San Marcos, TX512-557-0795The Salvation Army300 S CM Allen Parkway, Ste. 100, San Marcos, TX512-938-2596Hays Hills Baptist Church1401 N Farm to Market Rd. 1626, Buda, TX512-295-3132Dripping Springs United Methodist Church28900 RR 12, Dripping Springs, TX512-894-7123Westover Baptist Church1310 Advance St., San Marcos, TX512-214-2258First Baptist Church of Wimberley15951 Winters Mill Parkway, Wimberley, TX432-634-2364Additional resource information may be found at https://hayscountytx.com/2021/02/13/resources-for-those-in-need-during-freezing-weather/.

SAN MARCOS – San Marcos police responded to more than 12 ice-related crashes on Interstate 35 early Saturday morning. According to officials, no one was seriously injured in the crashes, but officials are now urging drivers to slow down and avoid traveling due to ice on bridges and roadways throughout the city. SMPD says that bridges on Wonder World Drive, west of I-35, have reopened after being closed due to “slick conditions.”Police shut down I-35 shortly after 4:30 a.m. and diverted traffic to access roads. The interstate was treated for ice and reopened just before 6:30 a.m., police say. “Winter weather conditions are expected to continue throughout the weekend so stay off the roadways if possible.

SAN MARCOS, Texas – Two people are dead after their Jeep crashed into the back of a semi-truck on Sunday, San Marcos police said. According to police, the crash happed at 10:24 p.m. near mile marker 208 on the southbound lanes of Interstate Highway 35. At the scene, investigators said they found a 2014 Jeep that had crashed into the back of the semi-truck, which was parked off the main lanes near the Department of Public Safety weigh station. Police said the Jeep caught fire and was extinguished by the San Marcos Fire Department. Both the driver and a passenger in the Jeep were killed during the crash.

SAN MARCOS – A 17-year-old San Marcos man is facing two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection with a shooting in late January. Octavius Garner turned himself in on Feb. 16, according to a news release from the San Marcos Police Department. Garner is believed to be responsible for a Jan. 30. shooting at a mobile home park in the Whispering Oaks Community, located at 503 Uhland Road. Investigators say the two men were sitting inside a parked car with Garner when an argument broke out. Police say Garner then pulled out a handgun and began shooting.

Beccera said he received a letter from Dr. John Hellerstedt, director of the Texas Department of State health services, informing him of the situation as it affected Hays County. I received an email last... Posted by Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra on Sunday, January 31, 2021Becerra said he also shares community members’ frustration concerning vaccine supply. Mike Jones, director of the Hays County Office of Emergency Services and the Hays County Local Health Department, said the county receives less than 2,000 doses per week from the state. “While no system is perfect,” Jones said, “our goal is to take care of Hays County residents in the most efficient and effective manner possible. Capacity restrictions are still in effect for Bexar County and surrounding counties in the state’s Trauma Service Area P.Related: Man, 22, arrested in series of vehicle burglaries in Hays County, deputies say

Jason Martinez, 17, is charged for capital murder following a homicide in Hays County. BUDA, Texas – Three juveniles and one adult are in custody and charged with capital murder in connection with a recent homicide in Buda, according to the Hays County Sheriff’s Office. Jason Martinez, 17, who is charged as an adult, and three juveniles are all from Austin and charged with capital murder in the shooting death of Giancarlo Perez, officials said. The four arrests were “the result of numerous witness interviews” in Hays County and in Austin, according to the HCSO. RELATED: Homicide investigation underway after man dies from gunshot wound in hospital, deputies say

Jeremy Rasco, 22, is now behind bars after deputies said he was involved in a series of vehicle burglaries in Hays County. HAYS COUNTY, Texas – A 22-year-old Hays County man is now behind bars after deputies said he was involved in a series of vehicle burglaries and had 15 outstanding warrants. Jeremy Rasco was arrested Thursday, Jan. 7, on a search warrant at a motel room in Austin after the Hays County Sheriff’s Office received several reports of vehicle burglaries in the area of Quail Run in San Marcos. Rasco is being held in the Hays County Jail for 24 charges on a $100,000 bond. Anyone with more information on the vehicle burglaries in the area should contact the sheriff’s office at 512-393-7896 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-324-8466.

SAN MARCOS – Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra confirmed that he and his family tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. Less than an hour ago, I found out that my entire family has tested positive for COVID19. Becerra encouraged everyone to isolate themselves through the holidays and celebrate with extended family remotely. “Less than an hour ago, I found out that my entire family has tested positive for COVID19. That being said, I know I’m asking a lot, but please consider gathering with your extended family remotely this holiday season.

KYLE, Texas – A man has been arrested in connection with a fatal shooting in Kyle, according to the Hays County Sheriff’s Office. Officials said the Hays County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division began an investigation for an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon offense. Officials said Roberto Ochoa Jr., 31, has been charged with capital murder and is in custody at the Hays County jail. Officials said anyone with information regarding the investigation is asked to call the Hays County Sheriff’s Office at 512-393-7896. RELATED: Juvenile dies in shooting at convenience store in Kyle, HCSO says

WIMBERLY, Texas – A Wimberley man has been arrested and charged with three counts of Felony 2 Arson after setting fire to three vehicles, Hays County officials say. Kirill O. Belchenko, 32, was arrested and booked into the Hays County jail on Sept. 21, following an investigation by the Hays County Fire Marshal and Hays County Sheriff’s Office. Fire Marshal Nathan Mendenhall said the vehicle arson occurred in the 3400 block of Ranch Road 32 on Sept. 21. In a statement, Mendenhall said Belchenko set fire to three of his uncles’ vehicles and also claimed that he placed a pipe bomb on the property. Additionally, Belchenko told fire and law enforcement investigators that he set fire to a utility pole on the property.

KYLE, Texas – A juvenile was fatally shot at a convenience store in Kyle, Texas late Monday night, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office said. Officers were called around 9:40 p.m. to a Poco Loco convenience store in the 700 block of High Road after receiving word of a shooting. According to the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, the juvenile male was dropped off at an area hospital with a gunshot wound where he later died. The sheriff’s office said the investigation into the shooting is ongoing and that no other information is available at this time. People with information on the shooting, however, are urged to contact the Hays County Sheriff’s Office at 512-393-7896.

On Saturday night, Trump tweeted a video of the Trump supporters following the Biden bus saying, “I LOVE TEXAS!”When reached for comment, the Texas GOP Chairman Allen West dismissed questions regarding the incident. According to the Biden campaign, multiple trucks pulled in front of the bus and appeared to try to slow it down. During that time, the person said, the group of Trump supporters fell back behind the police. “All involved parties are being referred to the San Marcos Police Department should they desire to file any type of report with law enforcement. Democratic officials say Trump supporters created a dangerous situation on Interstate 35 and continued following the bus into Austin.

SAN ANTONIO – A man who was shot by Hays County authorities during a vehicle pursuit that started on Interstate 35 Monday has been released from the hospital and booked into jail. The Hays County Sheriff’s Office said Richard Pollack, 43, was seen driving at a high rate of speed on the interstate and "weaving recklessly” through traffic at the 210-mile marker. A deputy attempted to pull the vehicle over, HCSO said, but Pollack kept driving, initiating a pursuit with deputies and Buda police. Deputies and police officers were able to stop Pollack’s car on South Loop 4 near Interstate Drive. Pollack was taken to the Hays County Jail and was charged with evading arrest, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawfully carrying a weapon, according to HCSO.

BUDA, Texas – A juvenile was arrested in connection with an arson and murder of a Buda woman, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office said. Officials said the suspect was detained on a “directive to apprehend warrant for murder” and taken to a juvenile detention center. According to HCSO, the body of Janie Rebecca Loredo Zapata, 48, was found at the scene of a fire on May 15 in the 400 block of West Overlook Mountain in Buda. Deputies had responded to the location to assist the Hays County Fire Marshal with the investigation. Related: San Antonio police seek arson suspect who set fire to sign at Northwest Side grocery store

HAYS COUNTY, Texas – A man was shot by deputies following an attempted traffic stop and vehicle chase Monday night, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office said. According to the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, the deputy tried to get the vehicle to stop, but the vehicle instead sped off. Hays County deputies and officers with the Buda Police Department chased the vehicle until it was finally disabled on South Loop 4 near Interstate Drive, just south of the Buda city limits, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office said. One of the law enforcement officers shot the driver, hitting him several times, the Hays County Sheriff’s Office said. No deputies or officers were hurt in the incident.

The office is set up primarily to mail voters forms they need to fill out and send to their appropriate county election office. But, like other state agencies, the secretary of state's office is hobbled by work restrictions because of the coronavirus. Many of the ballot application requests are being handled from employees' homes, a spokesperson for the agency confirmed. While the state's deadline to request a mail-in ballot application is Oct. 23, the U.S. You can print out your own application, contact your local elections office to receive one or request one from the secretary of state’s office.

The race for U.S. Congressional District 21 has been one to watch since the primaries when election officials announced Wendy Davis won the Democratic nomination and would challenge Republican incumbent Chip Roy on Election Day. Davis is a former state senator for State District 10 who led a 13-hour filibuster to block a bill restricting abortion rights in Texas. The AreaU.S. District 21 covers a vast area north of San Antonio and many communities along the I-35 North and I-10 West corridors, including parts of Bexar, Hays Travis, and Comal counties. Texas Congressional District 21 (ESRI/Chip Roy, U.S. House)Campaign FundsAs of June 30, Davis has raised more than $4.4. Voters will decide who they want as their next congressional district representative in less than one month.

SAN MARCOS, Tx – The City of San Marcos announced Tuesday that it would be holding a meet and greet for the final two police chief candidates on Oct. 14. In late September, city officials whittled down the applicant list from five to the final two candidates: Robert Brown, current chief of police for the city of Duncanville and Stan Standridge, current chief of police in Abilene. The meet-and-greet event will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Embassy Suites San Marcos Conference Center Spring Lake Salon, 1001 East McCarty Lane. According to a press release from the city, masks are required within the hotel and conference center and attendees should maintain social distancing guidelines during the reception event. A final decision and Council confirmation of the chosen candidate will be complete by early November, city officials said.