SAN MARCOS, Texas — In a progressive step toward strengthening community well-being, the Hays County Commissioners Court has approved the creation of a new Animal Welfare Services Division housed within the Hays County Health Department. This newly established division reflects the County’s commitment to a holistic approach to public health — one that recognizes the essential connection between people, animals, and the environment. The division will operate under the nationally recognized Human Animal Support Services (HASS) model, a community-centric framework focused on keeping pets and their people together, removing barriers to care and creating safer, healthier neighborhoods through collaborative programming. The court also approved the creation of three key positions to support the launch and operation of the division: · Animal Welfare Division Manager · Animal Welfare Services Coordinator · Animal Welfare Services Specialist These roles will lead the development of programs and services aimed at prevention, public education, field support alignment and direct assistance for pet owners and unowned animals in need. The agenda item was led by Commissioner Michelle Cohen, Precinct 2, with co-sponsorship from Commissioner Walt Smith, Precinct 4. “This initiative represents a community-first approach to public health,” said Dr. Cohen. “Our residents have made it clear that they value both the well-being of animals and access to humane, inclusive services. This new division will help us deliver on those priorities through strategic, sustainable programming.” “We’ve heard from residents and community partners that this kind of support is essential,” added Smith. “Whether it’s preventing shelter overcrowding, improving field services, or making pet care more accessible, this division is a win for our animals and our residents.” “The health of a community extends beyond human well-being,” said Hays County Judge Ruben Beccera. “This division allows us to address health holistically — supporting the physical, emotional and environmental needs of people and their pets. We are proud to see Hays County take this compassionate, forward-thinking step.” The Hays County Health Department emphasized this division's role in advancing the One Health philosophy. This globally recognized approach integrates human, animal and environmental health into a unified strategy. “Public health is evolving, and Hays County is evolving with it,” said Matthew Gonzales, director of the Hays County Health Department. “The creation of this division reflects our strategic commitment to the One Health model. It’s about taking smart, integrated steps that improve outcomes for everyone — humans and animals alike — through prevention, outreach and equitable access to services.”  The Animal Welfare Services Division will build upon existing efforts to provide outreach, connect underserved communities to veterinary and wellness services and support safe, humane outcomes for pets across the county. In alignment with the HASS model, the division will emphasize prevention, community support and resource accessibility.

SAN MARCOS, Texas — On April 8, the Hays County Commissioners Court approved a resolution to establish a Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) & Drug Court Program. The Hays County DWI & Drug Court Program is a County Court and District Court specialized judicial initiative, designed to reduce substance-related offenses by providing an alternative to traditional sentencing. This joint endeavor focuses on rehabilitation rather than incarceration, targeting non-violent offenders with substance abuse disorders. Through judicial oversight, comprehensive treatment and community collaboration, this program is dedicated to enhancing public safety and reducing repeat offenses by providing a structured, accountability-driven program for qualifying individuals with drug and alcohol-related offenses. Its creation received support from court officials across the county. Hays County District Attorney Kelly Higgins explained that his office will review cases for eligibility and recommend defendants if they’re a good fit for the program. “The goal here will always be sobriety,” Higgins said. “Our office looks forward to participating with these dockets so we can be more efficient with our jail [population], and our interactions with people who have addictions will be more meaningful. These aren’t the kind of people who deserve punitive measures; they deserve therapeutic measures, and they deserve treatment. This is more humane.” Judge Alicia Key also spoke in favor of the program, noting it was one of her goals in running for office. “Looking at state and countywide statistics, how many people are sitting in our jails because they have addiction problems? Drugs are ruling their lives,” Key said. “These programs help [offenders] get out of jail and help them be productive members of society instead of being a drain.” Hays County Paralegal Matthew Hammons, the DWI & Drug Court facilitator, noted that there were 260 or more eligible cases for this type of program last year, and the need will only increase as the county grows. “We provide accountability, structure, incentives for good behavior and personal support for offenders,” Hammons said. “Change is possible and is worth striving for. It’s more than a court; it’s a combat for their lives.” The DWI & Drug Court program has a tentative start date of Dec. 1, 2025. # # #

Residents residing in Hays County are invited to water well screenings and results meeting WIMBERLEY, Texas — The Texas Well Owner Network (TWON) is hosting an upcoming event in Hays County on April 7-8, allowing residents to have their well water screened. Joel Pigg, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program specialist in College Station, said the Texas Well Owner Network program is for Texas residents who depend on household wells for their water needs. “The TWON program was established to help well owners become familiar with Texas groundwater resources, septic system maintenance, well maintenance and construction and water quality and treatment,” Pigg said. “It allows them to learn more about how to improve and protect their community water resources.” Water samples will be screened for contaminants, including total coliform bacteria, E. coli, nitrate-nitrogen and salinity. Water Sampling and Meeting Information On April 7, water samples can be dropped off at the following times and locations: from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the Hays County AgriLife Extension office, 200 Stillwater Road, Wimberley; 8:30- 11:30 a.m. at the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District office, 1124 Regal Row, Austin; 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District office, 14101 Highway 290 West, Building 100, Suite 212, Austin. On April 8, a follow-up meeting to discuss the screening results will take place from 11:00 a.m. to noon at the Wimberley Village Library, located at 400 FM 2325, Wimberley. Sampling Instructions Pigg said area residents wanting to have their well water screened should pick up a sample bag, a bottle and instructions from the local AgriLife Extension office or Groundwater Conservation District office before April 7. There will be a $15 per sample cost for the screening, and residents may submit as many samples as they like. “It is very important that only sampling bags and bottles be used, and all instructions for proper sampling are followed to ensure accurate results,” he said. “Private water wells should be tested annually, he said. The samples will be screened for contaminants, including total coliform bacteria, E. coli, nitrate-nitrogen and salinity.” Pigg said it is essential for those submitting samples to attend the follow-up meeting to receive results, learn corrective measures for identified problems and improve their understanding of private well management. Well-Water Contaminants Concerns According to Pigg, research indicates that the presence of E. coli bacteria in water suggests that waste from humans or warm-blooded animals may have contaminated the water. Water contaminated with E. coli is also more likely to contain pathogens that can cause diarrhea, cramps, nausea or other symptoms. The presence of nitrate-nitrogen in well water is also a concern, and water with nitrate-nitrogen at levels of 10 parts per million is considered unsafe for human consumption. “These nitrate levels above 10 parts per million can disrupt the ability of blood to carry oxygen throughout the body, resulting in a condition called methemoglobinemia,” Pigg said. “Infants younger than 6 months of age are most susceptible to this.” Salinity, as measured by total dissolved solids, will also be determined for each sample, he said. Water with high levels may leave deposits and have a salty taste. Using water with high levels for irrigation may damage soil or plants. The screenings are presented by AgriLife Extension and Texas Water Resources Institute, TWRI, in partnership with the Hays County AgriLife Extension office, Barton Spring Edwards Aquifer Conservation District and the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District. Funding for TWON is through a Clean Water Act Section 319(h) nonpoint source grant provided by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The project is managed by TWRI, part of Texas A&M AgriLife Research, AgriLife Extension and the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. To learn more about the programs offered through the network or to access additional publications and resources, visit https://twon.tamu.edu. For more information on the water screening, contact Joel Pigg at 979-321-5946 or j-pigg@tamu.edu

SAN MARCOS , Texas - Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins announced today that 23-year-old Cory Grado of San Marcos was sentenced to 17 years in prison on March 20, 2025. On March 20, 2025, a jury found Cory Grado guilty of sexual assault and invasive visual recording. The evidence at trial showed that Cory Grado recorded himself sexually assaulting the victim. When officers with the San Marcos Police Department searched the defendant’s phone for evidence, they found numerous images and videos depicting the sexual assault in graphic detail, as well as close-up photos of the victim’s intimate areas. After the jury found the defendant guilty of sexual assault and invasive visual recording, the punishment phase of the trial began. The jurors heard additional testimony from the victim, the victim’s boyfriend and the mother of the victim, detailing the traumatic effect the crimes had on the victim and explaining how much she has suffered as a result. The jury ultimately returned a sentence of 17 years in prison for the sexual assault conviction and a maximum sentence of two years state jail for invasive visual recording. This case was investigated by the San Marcos Police Department and was prosecuted by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Miranda Ebersole and Elizabeth Schmidt. "We asked the jury to send a message that these crimes are not tolerated in our community, and that is what they have done with their verdict,” Schmidt said. “We want to thank the jurors for their service, especially since they had to review very disturbing evidence. We also want to thank the victim in this case for her bravery and for having the strength to face the defendant in court.”  District Attorney Kelly Higgins thanked the investigators, prosecutors and jurors for bringing Grado to justice.

SAN MARCOS, Texas - Hays County District Attorney Kelly Higgins announced today, March 20, that William Rojas, 28, was found guilty by a Hays County jury on Jan. 23 of murder, tampering with evidence-human corpse, and tampering with evidence. On March 18, Judge Sherri K. Tibbe sentenced Rojas to a life sentence for murder, 20 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) for tampering with evidence-human corpse and 10 years TDCJ for tampering with evidence. During the trial, it was proven that Rojas murdered Esbin Santiago-Gomez with a firearm and then drove the victim’s body into Hays County, where Rojas stripped the victim of all identifying information before attempting to hide Santiago-Gomez’s body. The case was investigated by detectives with the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of law enforcement officers with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Austin Police Department, Houston Police Department and the Texas Rangers. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Christopher Griffith and Courtney Hansen. Following the verdict, ADA Griffith said, “Mr. Rojas’ callousness in the murder and his actions following the murder were shocking to all those involved. Without the hard work and dedication of detectives with the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, Rojas would not have been brought to answer for his crimes. We offer our deepest sympathies and condolences to Esbin Santiago-Gomez’s family and hope some measure of comfort is found in bringing him justice.”  Higgins added, “In addition to our gratitude for the excellent work done in investigation and prosecution of this case, the office would commend the sentence of the court as well-deserved.”

SAN MARCOS, Texas — The Hays County Commissioners Court appointed Erik Granjeno as the new director of Human Resources. The Human Resources Department is responsible for various county activities involving employees, applicants and citizens. An Austin native, Granjeno attended Texas State for a year and finished his education at Western Governors University. As the youngest of four children, he is a first-generation college graduate and a two-time university alumnus. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Human Resources Management and a Master of Science in Management and Leadership. After the 2020 pandemic, Hays County became his home. "I hope to be innovative with our processes and programs while being the director," Granjeno said. He is duly certified by the HRCI Human Resource Certification Institute and SHRM as a senior human resources professional. He brings strategic and tactical skills to this position. He balances protecting the company and serving the people's best interests. "Hays County is growing fast, and I think we need to be able to stay ahead of the market in terms of being an employer of choice," Granjeno said. "I would like to get Hays County into that direction of building our employer branding and putting it out there as an employer of choice for people moving to the area."

SAN MARCOS, Texas — Last month, the Hays County Commissioners Court selected Jonathan Blanco as the new director of the Budget Office. The County Budget Office is responsible for creating and overseeing the county's annual budget. Originally from California, Blanco is an accomplished financial professional with more than a decade of experience managing multi-billion-dollar budgets, grants and fiscal operations in public, private and government sectors. “It is truly an honor to be here at such a pivotal moment in Hays County's growth,” Blanco said. He excels at streamlining financial processes, driving strategic initiatives and leading cross-functional teams to achieve organizational goals. With his expertise in budget management, financial management, grant management and compliance with government regulations, he has proven the ability to implement cost-saving strategies, forecast financial trends and ensure accurate financial reporting. “I am eager to collaborate with the judge, commissioners and county staff as we shape the future of this remarkable community,” Blanco said. “I am privileged to have worked alongside my esteemed predecessor, Vickie Dorsett, before her retirement. Her legacy is one that I am honored to continue, and I am committed to filling the significant role she has left behind.”  Blanco is also a proud husband, father of five, combat veteran and devoted handler of his service dog, Leo. He and his family have called Hays County home since January 2025.

WIMBERLEY, Texas — Hays County announced today that a diligence funding agreement has been executed with the City of Wimberley for a future Blue Hole Nature Center, a project led by the Wimberley Parks and Recreation Department that will be dedicated to conservation, education and community engagement. The County confirmed that $3 million has been allotted for the project as part of the 2020 Hays County Parks and Open Space Bond. The Nature Center will be dedicated to hands-on learning, ecological preservation and sustainable recreation. With this funding, the city’s Parks and Recreation Department will design and develop a space connecting people of all ages with the rich biodiversity of the Texas Hill County. Some features include: · Interactive exhibits showcasing the region’s unique ecosystems and wildlife · Educational programming for students, families and lifelong learners · Indoor and outdoor spaces that immerse guests in the natural beauty of Blue Hole Regional Park · Sustainability initiatives that demonstrate water conservation, native landscaping and eco-friendly building practices According to Hays County Precinct 3 Commissioner Morgan Hammer, the bond funding highlights the county’s commitment to protecting natural spaces while making them more accessible and educational for residents and visitors. “Investing in the Blue Hole Nature Center is an investment in the future of Hays County,” said Hammer. “Through the Hays County Parks and Open Space Bond, we are ensuring that our community has access to both protected natural spaces and meaningful environmental education opportunities. The Nature Center will be a place where residents, students and visitors can connect with the land, learn about conservation and be inspired to protect the resources that make Hays County so special.” The Wimberley Parks and Recreation Department will begin planning and developing the Nature Center in the coming months. For more information, visit wimberleyparksandrec.com/blue-hole-nature-center.

SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Hays County Commissioners Court has appointed Matthew Gonzales as the new Health Department Director, reinforcing the county’s commitment to expanding public health services and meeting the growing health needs of the community. The decision was made on Feb. 25, 2025, and Gonzales officially assumed the position on March 1, 2025. This appointment follows the Commissioners Court’s decision to separate the Health Department from Countywide Operations during the drafting of the Fiscal Year 2025 budget. The change aligns Hays County with other county health departments in Texas, ensuring dedicated leadership and resources to address infectious disease prevention, emergency preparedness and community health needs like mental health services. With public health now recognized as an economic driver, this move is part of a broader effort to strengthen the county’s ability to respond to health crises, accelerate recovery efforts and keep the local economy strong. A Central Texas native, Gonzales grew up in Caldwell County and graduated from Lockhart ISD before earning a Bachelor of Public Administration (2021) and a Master of Healthcare Administration (2023) from Texas State University. Gonzales has been a dedicated public servant in Hays County since 2021, beginning as an intern with the Health Department during the COVID-19 pandemic. He later took on key roles, including Planner in Development Services, Technical Support for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, Community Program Manager and Health Department Manager. “It’s an honor to step into this role at such a critical time for public health in Hays County,” Gonzales said. “With our growing population and evolving health challenges, my focus will be on expanding services, strengthening our department’s foundation and ensuring every resident has access to essential health resources. We’re building a healthier future for our community, and I’m excited to lead that effort.” Gonzales has played a key role in major health initiatives, including the 2022 Monkeypox outbreak response and the 2023 Community Health Assessment. He was also instrumental in expanding staff and overseeing the department’s transition to a new facility. Looking ahead, he has set ambitious goals for the Health Department, including: · Reorganizing the department to better prepare for current and future public health challenges. · Expanding community and behavioral health services to improve access for Hays County residents. · Strengthening public health infrastructure to meet the rigorous standards set by the Public Health Accreditation Board. Upcoming Health Department Event As part of its ongoing commitment to community health, the Hays County Health Department will host an MMR vaccine clinic on March 10 from 5 to 7 p.m. at 101 Thermon Drive, San Marcos, Texas. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to protect themselves and their families from measles, mumps and rubella. About the Hays County Health Department The Hays County Health Department is the local health authority for Hays County, providing essential public health services such as immunizations, tuberculosis and sexually transmitted infection services, and public health prevention and intervention programs. For more information about the Health Department’s services and initiatives, visit Hayscountytx.gov/health-department .  About Hays County Hays County is located in Central Texas and is part of the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan area. Situated just south of Travis County, it is one of the fastest-growing counties in the state. With an estimated population of 290,000, it is the 19th largest county in Texas.