To view the original file, Click here

To view the original document, Click Here

SAN MARCOS , Texas – The office of Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins announced that on May 7, 46-year-old James Shope was found guilty by a Hays County jury of two counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 years of age and one count of indecency with a child by sexual contact. After the punishment phase of trial, the jury returned a verdict of two life sentences in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for the two continuous sexual abuse counts and the maximum punishment available for indecency with a child by sexual contact — 20 years’ imprisonment. There is no possibility of parole for the convictions of continuous sexual abuse of a child. District Judge Joe Pool ordered that the two life sentences run consecutively, stating, “We don’t accept this in Hays County.” The investigation of Shope began in August of 2023 when two children outcried that Shope had sexually abused them from their kindergarten to their pre-teen years. They further testified to his efforts to keep them silent. After the trial, the jury expressed their unanimous belief in the girls and sympathy for their well-being during their testimony. This case was investigated by the Hays County Sheriff’s Office, with lead detective Corporal Chase Crow, and was prosecuted by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Cassidy Story and Abigail Whitaker, assisted by Annalise Baker, Zoie Sanders, Kendall Evans, and Sergeant Investigator David Cabrera. “Our duty is to seek justice, and this jury and judge delivered exactly that,” Story said. “I am so proud of our team’s continued vigilance in protecting the children of this county and of the children who bravely faced the perpetrator in court. Although no verdict will ever heal the lifelong trauma this man has caused, I sincerely hope that both children gain strength and confidence from the jury’s very clear words, ‘we believe you.’”  # # #

HAYS COUNTY, Texas — The Homeless Coalition of Hays County successfully participated in the 2026 Point‑in‑Time (PIT) Count, an annual, nationwide effort that documents the number of people experiencing homelessness in communities across the United States. On Jan. 22, 2026, around 70 volunteers were deployed across Hays County to count and connect with unhoused neighbors, offering resource bags with hygiene items and information about local available services. Support and Participation This year, the Hays County Health Department’s Behavioral Health Coordinator, Dr. Izzy Vigil, led the effort alongside Erika Rosa, co‑founder of Breaking Bread Outreach Ministries. Dr. Vigil and Erika Rosa worked closely with fellow PIT Count Board members from local partners, including Southside Community Center, the Hays County Food Bank and other leadership from the Homeless Coalition of Hays County. Their collaboration helped ensure the count was conducted safely, accurately, and with respect for all those encountered on the day of the count. Data was sent to the Texas Homeless Network (THN), where it was cleaned and analyzed. The report was subsequently shared with the Homeless Coalition of Hays County for dissemination of the data to municipalities and the greater Hays County community. Results of the 2026 PIT Count The 2026 PIT Count documented: 151 people are experiencing homelessness across Hays County. Survey responses were primarily collected in San Marcos (n = 144), with smaller numbers in Kyle (n = 6) and Buda (n = 1). The majority of individuals counted were adults ages 25–64, with most experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Approximately 21% of respondents identified as survivors of domestic violence. The total shows a decrease of 36 people compared to the 2025 count of 187. These findings help measure current needs, identify service gaps and guide strategic planning for homelessness response efforts across Hays County. It is important to emphasize that the PIT Count is a one‑night snapshot and does not capture the full scope of homelessness throughout the year, particularly individuals who are precariously housed or at risk. Additionally, the timing of this year’s count may have influenced the results due to environmental factors that may have affected shelter utilization and overall participation. Ongoing Collaboration and Long‑Term Strategy Hays County remains committed to working alongside the Homeless Coalition of Hays County, local nonprofits, service providers, municipalities and community leaders to strengthen coordinated responses to homelessness. In the year ahead, the County will focus on expanding outreach partnerships to improve year‑round engagement with unhoused individuals, enhancing data sharing and service coordination among local partners to streamline access to support and advancing funding initiatives and grant applications that build the capacity of local homelessness response systems. These efforts also aim to address the social determinants of health by addressing key components of primary prevention, such as housing, transportation and access to healthcare. “Sustained progress takes shared commitment. We are continuing to build strong partnerships across our community so that our response is coordinated, consistent and grounded in long-term solutions,” said Hays County Health Department Behavioral Health Coordinator Dr. Izzy Vigil. “This work is about strengthening systems over time while staying focused on the people we serve and the conditions that support their health and stability.” About the Point‑in‑Time Count The PIT Count is a federally required initiative coordinated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It provides a snapshot of homelessness on a single night in January and informs funding, policy decisions and local planning efforts. For more information on the PIT Count and Hays County’s work to support homelessness response efforts, contact The Homeless Coalition of Hays County at hayscounty.lhc@gmail.com. ###