Hays County’s Contractor, Jordan Foster continues to make progress on the project. The section of Dacy Lane from Hillside Terrace to Windy Hill Road and the New Lois Lane connection to Ralph Pfluger Elementary School have been paved and are open to traffic. The sections currently have temporary pavement markers. The Contractor is scheduled to complete paved driveways in this section of Dacy Lane and the permanent striping in late August. The driveway paving and striping may cause minor delays. We ask that you exercise additional caution in the 3-lane section while construction work is completed. Dacy Lane will remain closed to through-traffic from Windy Hill Road to Amberwood Loop. Traffic should continue to follow the detour route that is currently in place. Access to all driveways and side streets will be maintained at all times. This section is to be completed late this Fall 2023. (See map).  Dacy Lane from Amberwood Loop to Bebee Road is open to the public.

El Condado de Hays, junto con las ciudades de Dripping Springs, Wimberly, Kyle, Buda, Mountain City, Niederwald, Woodcreek, Hays, y el pueblo de Bearcreek ofreceran reunions de puertas abiertas para solicitor la opinion del publico sobre la actualizavion del plan de mitigacion de riesgos. No se necesitan reservas para asistir. La primera reunion se llevara a cabo en Kyle en el Ayuntamiento el Miercoles 24 de Enero de 2024 de 6 p.m. a 8 p.m., la direccion es 100 W. Center St., Kyle, TX 78640. La Segunda reunion se llevara a cabo en Dripping Springs en el Ayuntamiento el Jueves 25 de Enero de 2024 de 6 p.m. a 8 p.m., la direccion es 511 Mercer St., Dripping Springs, TX 78620. El plan de mitigacion de riesgos es un documento integral para que las comunidades participen en una planificacion efectiva que pueda reducir los riesgos a largo plazo para la vida y la propiedad de los peligros naturales, como inundaciones, sequias, huracanes, tornados, tormentas de invierno, e incedios forestales. El Plan actualizado del Condado de Hays ha estado en desarrollo durante aproximadamente un año y la participacion del publico debe tener lugar en este momento para completer el plan. Una vez que se complete el plan de 2024, sera revisado por el Departamento de Gestion de Emergencias de Texas y luego por FEMA, una vez que se de la aprobacion de FEMA, el plan sera aceptado por resolucion en cada jurisdiccion participante y seran elegibles para solicitor la financiacion la subvencion de mitigacion de riesgos de FEMA. Para obtener mas informacion, pongase en contacto con: Natalie Frels, El Gerente de Comunicaciones del Condado de Hays, Natalie.frels@co.hays.tx.us.

SAN MARCOS, Texas – Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins announced that a Hays County Grand Jury has reviewed the officer-involved shooting that occurred in Buda in September 2023, and determined that the officers were justified in their actions. On Tuesday, September 5, 2023, a Buda police officer initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle at approximately 4:00 a.m. on the northbound frontage road of I-35. During that interaction, the driver, later identified at Lee Elsbury, exited his vehicle with a firearm and the Buda police officer fired at him. The driver fled on foot and additional officers responded to the area to assist in searching for him. During the search, Elsbury discharged a weapon and multiple officers returned fire. Elsbury was struck by gunfire on the side of the frontage road but survived. He has been charged with multiple felonies and those cases are pending. Two Buda police officers and three Hays County Sheriff’s deputies fired weapons during the pursuit. The Texas Rangers were called in to assist with the investigation. This morning, the grand jury was presented with the results of that investigation and found that their actions were justified under Texas law.

SAN MARCOS, Texas — The Hays County Commissioners Court recently approved the creation of a behavioral health coordinator position within the Hays County Health Department. The is the first position created by the county to address mental health and substance abuse outside of the criminal justice system. “The Behavioral Health Coordinator will form the behavioral health program for Hays County,” said Matthew Gonzales, Health Department manager. “This position will address mental health disparities that can exist in the places where we live, work, learn and play. It will develop a roadmap for how the county address mental health in the future.” The position was created as a result of multiple efforts aligning. The Hays County Behavioral Advisory Team (BAT), which Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe and Precinct 4 Commissioner Walt Smith serve on, set a priority to create a program or office within the county that would be responsible for identifying and coordinating mental health resources available in the county. During the 2023 budget cycle, Precinct 2 Commissioner Dr. Michelle Cohen and Precinct 3 Commissioner Lon Shell expressed interest in the development of a county position that would address mental health. The end of the budget process kicked off work toward finding the funding that would create and define this position. “Our county has seen disparities in mental health and substance use for quite a while,” said Cohen. “I trust the work the department has begun and will continue to do toward addressing mental health.” The Hays County Commissioners Court believed that this position would fit best in the health department. The department was established to address the health needs of the county and mental health is just one component of an individual’s overall health and wellbeing. “The growth of our department has been tremendous,” said Tammy Crumley, Health Department director. “We are grateful for the support of the court, which allows our services to expand to better serve our Hays County residents.” Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra added, “In recognizing the critical need for mental health and substance abuse services, we are committed to nurturing a community where compassion leads the way to healing and support. This new behavioral health coordinator position signifies our dedication to not just addressing, but understanding and empathizing with the struggles faced by our residents. We are not just creating a program; we are fostering a promise to our community that no one has to face their challenges alone.” The Hays County Health Department provides many services to the community, including immunizations, tuberculosis treatment, disease tracking and more. The Health Department clinic is open 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. Wednesday hours are 8 to 10 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. The clinic is open on Friday from 8 a.m. to noon. For more information on the Hays County Health Department, visit hayscountytx.com/departments/local-health-department/.