SAN MARCOS, Texas – On Thursday, Nov. 7, Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra declared that the burn ban be lifted in Hays County. According to Hays County Fire Marshal Steve Seddig, many citizens are calling, wanting to burn brush and vegetation; moisture conditions are favorable now, and it is an excellent opportunity for citizens to burn and remove the hazard from their property and Hays County. Seddig added that conditions are improving. Based on the current Hays County weather forecasts, 1 to 1.25 inches of rain are predicted through Sunday, Nov. 10. The current and now-seasonal weather pattern will be cool to average temperatures through next week, with low winds after this weekend's weather front. “We encourage the public to initiate their fire preparedness plan so they are ready for a wildfire and can complete any outdoor burning while conditions are appropriate,” he said. If you decide to burn, please remember to: Clear the area around your debris pile. Call the fire department and notify them that you will burn a debris pile. Check your debris pile often. Monitoring the 72-hour weather forecast is of particular importance during this time. A debris pile should not be ignited if high winds (over 15 miles per hour) or low relative humidity (under 30%) are expected within 72 hours. All debris piles should be continually monitored and completely extinguished, but checking an old debris pile when it is expected to be dry or windy is an additional precaution.

SAN MARCOS , Texas - Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins announced Nov. 6 that 34-year-old Mark Anthony Briones of Kyle was convicted of capital murder for the June 2022 murder of infant Annalyne Fridley Benavides. Judge Bruce Boyer then sentenced the defendant to life without parole. On June 20, 2022, Briones was babysitting Benavides, his roommate’s 7-month-old infant. This was not the first time he had cared for her. Around 5:01 p.m., Benavides was rushed to Seton Hospital because she wasn’t breathing and had no pulse. Doctors observed severe bruising all over her body. She was then life-flighted to Dell Children’s Hospital, where she was later pronounced brain dead. The defendant stated that Benavides had been acting normal until she fell off his 12-inch trundle bed and became lifeless. His story wasn’t consistent with the copious amounts of medical evidence that showed she had detached retinas, anoxic brain injury and subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhages. Several medical experts testified that her injuries, along with the bruising all over her body, are consistent with being beaten to death. The jury was also shown a photograph of Benavides taken the morning before she died in which she appeared to be healthy and had no bruising. This case was investigated by Kyle Police Department Sgt. Tim Owens and Detective Pedro Carrasco, and prosecuted by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Katie Arnold and Rebecca Lopez. “I’d like to thank the witnesses that testified in this case and the jury for their verdict. It was an honor to fight for that sweet baby girl and to get to tell her story to the jury. We are very grateful for the verdict and we know [Benavides] would have been proud,” said Arnold. “We hope in some way that her family can have some closure knowing that her murderer will be spending the rest of his life in prison.” Nov. 1, 2024, would have been Benavides’ third birthday.

SAN MARCOS, Texas - Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins announced today that 34-year-old Joseph Pavelka, IX, formerly of San Marcos, was found guilty of two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child and one count of indecency with a child by sexual contact. Pavelka was not eligible for probation based on the severity of the offenses. He was sentenced Thursday, Oct. 10, by presiding Judge Gary Steel to six years in prison on all three counts to run concurrently. Pavelka is required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his lifetime. On Aug. 19, 2024, a Hays County jury found Pavelka guilty of sexually abusing the victim from the ages of six and seven years of age while he was 17 and 18 years old at the time. The evidence showed that the abuse was not immediately disclosed due to the defendant’s threats made to the victim, including that she would “get in trouble” and that she would not be believed. During the trial, the State presented the victim’s childhood journals that described the abuse and emotional trauma experienced because of Pavelka. After the reading of the verdict, the jury verbalized their belief in the victim and their hope that she will find closure. One of the jurors returned to the courthouse for the punishment phase in support of the victim. Prior to issuing the sentence, the judge addressed the victim personally, stating that he believed her testimony. This case was prosecuted by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Cassidy Story and Rowan St. John. “We would like to thank the victim for her patience and courage to face her abuser after years of being silenced,” Story said. “The jury’s verdict sent a message to her and this community that they will not tolerate child sexual abuse, regardless of the time it took for the perpetrator’s crimes to be revealed.” Additionally, Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins announced today that 59-year-old Randall Mosbey, of Kyle, was sentenced to life in prison on Oct. 18, 2024. On Oct. 18, 2024, a jury found Randall Mosbey guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child and invasive visual recording. Randall Mosbey pleaded guilty to the count of invasive visual recording at the beginning of trial, and after hearing all of the evidence, the jury also convicted him of continuous sexual abuse of a child. The evidence in trial showed that Randall Mosbey sexually abused a child over the course of several years starting when the child was around 7 years old. The defendant also placed hidden cameras in the victim's bathroom and bedroom and during that investigation by law enforcement, the victim came forward to the detective and disclosed all of the years of sexual abuse. The jury also heard evidence that back in 1992, the defendant was court-martialed in the U.S. Marine Corps and found guilty of sexual offenses against a child. After the convictions for continuous sexual abuse of a child and invasive recording, Judge Dan Mills sentenced Mosbey to Life in prison without the possibility of parole under Texas’ Auto-Life statute, after taking note of Mosbey’s previous conviction for a sexual offense against a child. Judge Mills also sentenced the defendant to the maximum punishment on Count II Invasive Visual Recording of two years in state jail. This case was investigated by the Kyle Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Miranda Ebersole and Elizabeth Schmidt. "We want to thank the victim in this case for having the extraordinary courage and strength to come forward and face their abuser in court," Ebersole said. "We also want to thank Sgt. Congdon from Kyle Police Department for his extensive work on this case." Higgins said that cases of this nature are an extremely high priority for the office, adding that justice will come to those who harm children, no matter how much time has passed.

BUDA, Texas – Hays County residents can find out more about the proposed county road bonds on their ballot at one last in-person open house event in Buda. This come-and-go event will be held in the Kunkel Room at Historic Buda Elementary’s Upper Campus (300 San Marcos St.) from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 30. The Buda open house is the final in-person open house after meetings in Dripping Springs, Kyle, San Marcos and Wimberley earlier in the month, as well as an ongoing online open house at hayscountybonds.com . “The county initially scheduled meetings in each precinct, but we added a meeting in Buda because we want to make sure each population center has an opportunity to look at the Proposition A transportation projects and understand what’s on their ballot before Election Day,” said Precinct 4 Commissioner Walt Smith. Attendees will have an opportunity to view details about individual road projects, learn about the potential tax impact, see where and how they can vote and ask questions. In August of this year, the Hays County Commissioners Court called a $440 million bond election, which seeks voter approval for funding for critical transportation projects that are designed to decrease congestion and improve overall safety and mobility. The bond package focuses on projects already in the planning process to ensure the continuity of projects and includes shovel-ready projects. The selected projects will address substandard roadways to improve safety and increase capacity. As one of the fastest-growing counties, Hays County aims to increase commuter safety, mitigate congestion and create regional connectivity. For more information on the 2024 Hays County Road Bond, including voting times and locations, go to hayscountybonds.com .

SAN MARCOS, Texas – What’s on the ballot for Hays County voters this November? The community is invited to participate in four open house meetings across the county to find out just that. Specifically, the county is hosting these events to give citizens information as they prepare to vote on Proposition A, a road bond package featuring 31 transportation projects in Hays County. The same information will be presented at each open house, as well as be available on the county’s bond-specific informational website, hayscountybonds.com . All four meetings will be come-and-go events held from 5-7 p.m. ● Tuesday, Oct. 8 at the Wimberley Community Center (14068 RR 12, Wimberley) ● Wednesday, Oct. 9 at the Kyle Public Library (550 Scott St., Kyle) ● Tuesday, Oct. 15 at the San Marcos Public Library (625 E Hopkins St., San Marcos) ● Thursday, Oct. 17 at the Dripping Springs Ranch Park Event Center (1042 Event Center Drive, Dripping Springs) “This is a great way for people to get to see what will be on their ballots — and what the future might hold for our community,” said Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra. “The Commissioners Court is actively working to prepare for the future. We’ve put Proposition A on the ballot to allow county taxpayers to decide what they would like to see in Hays County.” Attendees will also have an opportunity to view details about individual road projects, learn about the potential tax impact, and see where and how they can vote. Staff will be on hand to answer questions in English or Spanish. In August of this year, the Hays County Commissioners Court called a $440 million bond election, seeking voter approval for funding for critical transportation projects designed to decrease congestion and improve overall safety and mobility. The bond package focuses on projects already in the planning process to ensure their continuity and includes shovel-ready projects. The selected projects will address substandard roadways to improve safety and increase capacity. As one of the fastest-growing counties, Hays County aims to increase commuter safety, mitigate congestion and create regional connectivity. “Early voting starts on October 21 -- right after these open houses conclude. We hope to help educate citizens about what’s on the ballot so they can make the best, informed decision for themselves about Proposition A,” said Becerra. For more information on the 2024 Hays County Road Bond, including voting times and locations, go to hayscountybonds.com .

SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Hays County Historical Commission (HCHC) is currently accepting applications for membership through Nov. 15. Members are appointed by the Hays County Commissioners Court. HCHC members must be residents of Hays County and are expected to attend monthly meetings which are usually scheduled for the fourth Thursday of the month. Established in 1953 the Hays County Historical Commission is a group of volunteers appointed by the Hays County Commissioner's Court on odd-numbered years for a two-year term to preserve the history and cultural resources of Hays County. In addition to implementing the State Historical Marker program of the Texas Historical Commission on a local level, the Hays Historical Commission is active in the preservation of area cemeteries and historical sites. Our purpose is to provide information and educational resources to the public on the significance of our heritage in Hays County. The HCHC promotes the preservation of historic resources in the county, including the Hays County Museum (located in the historic Hays County Courthouse) and the Kyle Depot and Heritage Center. Additional information about the HCHC is available on the commission’s website http://www.hayshistoricalcommission.com . The application for membership is posted on the home page of the website and includes instructions for submission.

SAN MARCOS, Texas - Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins announced today that 36-year-old Christopher Lee Head, formerly of San Marcos, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole by visiting Judge Glenn Devlin on Oct. 4, 2024. On Oct. 3, 2024, a Hays County jury found Head guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child younger than 14 years of age. The evidence showed that the defendant had sexually abused his victim from the age of five years old until the age of eight. The evidence also showed that the defendant would show the victim pornography, including videos of himself and another family member, and he would ask the victim to “copy” the sexual acts portrayed in them. One of the witnesses, formerly the best friend of the defendant, testified that the defendant made admissions to him shortly after the victim outcried. Head was released on bond before the trial. Following his conviction, Head’s bond was revoked, and he was taken into custody for a sentencing hearing in front of the judge. During the sentencing phase of the trial, evidence was presented that the defendant was a drug dealer, inappropriately touched another child in 2014 and that he physically abused romantic partners. The victim testified again as the last witness for the State as to how she has been affected by the ongoing abuse and how she feared that the defendant would continue to abuse other children in the future should he be given the opportunity. One of the jurors returned to the courthouse to hear the defendant’s sentence, and he later embraced the victim, commending her for her bravery. This case was investigated by Hays County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Mike Andrews and Det. Nelson Wray and prosecuted by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Cassidy Story and Daniel Sakaida. “We would like to thank the victim and her family and friends for their courage and for putting their faith in Hays County jurors,” Story said. “The judge’s sentence ensured that no other child will be victimized by Head during his lifetime.”

SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Hays County Health Department is excited to announce the release of the 2024 Hays County Resource Guide, a comprehensive directory designed to help community partners, organizations and residents easily access the support services they need. This new guide offers information on a wide range of resources, including healthcare, housing, food assistance, mental health services and more all specific to Hays County. “This resource guide reflects our commitment to ensuring every resident can navigate available resources, fostering a strong, more connected community,” said Peyton Wagner, Hays County Health Department Behavioral Health Coordinator. “Empowering communities begins with access to information.” The 2024 Hays County Resource Guide is part of the department’s ongoing effort to connect the community with vital services. It is available digitally on the health department’s website at https://www.hayscountytx.gov/resource-directory and will be updated quarterly to ensure the most accurate and current information is accessible. Paper copies will be available at the health department. As we look ahead to the 2025 edition, the health department invites feedback from the public, local organizations and service providers. Suggestions for new resources, such as updates to existing listings or general feedback on the guide’s format and usability, are welcome and encouraged. Fill out a feedback form at https://forms.office.com/g/MdQXVFehNk or contact Peyton Wagner at Peyton.Wagner@hayscountytx.gov for suggestions. “The 2024 Hays County Resource Guide represents months of effort from a dedicated team working to meet a long-standing need in our community,” said Matthew Gonzales, Hays County Health Department Manager. “For quite some time, our department’s director and the Hays County Commissioners Court have been calling for a resource like this to better support our residents. This guide fills that crucial need, providing a comprehensive, accessible tool for everyone in the county to find the help they need and deserve.” To provide feedback or suggest additions for the 2025 edition of the Hays County Resource Guide, please visit https://www.hayscountytx.gov/resource-directory . The deadline for submissions is Dec. 1, 2024.

SAN MARCOS, Texas - Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins announced today that 49-year-old Manuel Balderas of Kyle was sentenced to 40 years in prison by a jury on Sept. 24, 2024. The jury assessed punishment and Judge Bruce Boyer stacked three of the counts to total 40 years. On Sept. 23, 2024, a Hays County jury found Balderas guilty of multiple counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child younger than 14 years of age, sexual assault of a child, indecency with a child and sexual assault. The evidence showed that the defendant had sexually abused three victims from middle school until they were adults and would even do so while the victims sat on his lap with blankets, disguising his abuse from others who were present. The evidence also showed that both physical and sexual abuse were used as a form of punishment for bad grades, speaking with boys or using technology when it wasn’t permitted. Balderas was released on bond before the trial. Following his conviction, Balderas’ bond was revoked, and he was taken into custody for a sentencing hearing in front of the jury. The victims testified again in the punishment phase as to how they have been affected by the ongoing abuse. This case was investigated by Hays County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. David Marshall and prosecuted by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Katie Arnold and Miranda Ebersole. “We would like to thank the victims and their supporting family members for the bravery and strength that it took to come forward and face their abuser in court,” Arnold said. “The sentence in this case shows that child sexual abuse will not be tolerated in Hays County.”