SAN MARCOS, Texas – The Hays County Health Department (HCHD) received notification on July 29, 2025, that there was a laboratory confirmed, positive human case of West Nile Virus. This is the first reported human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) for the 2025 Mosquito Season in Hays County. Due to privacy and confidentiality reasons, HCHD will not disclose any information about the patient. While 80% of people will not experience symptoms of an infection, only 20% of people may experience some symptoms. Symptoms of West Nile Virus infection can include fever, headache, body aches, joint pain, vomiting, diarrhea, a skin rash on the torso of the body and swollen lymph nodes. While the risk for severe symptoms is low, individuals aged 50 and older and those with compromised immune systems may be at an increased risk for stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, vision loss, paralysis and, in extremely rare cases, death. Anyone experiencing these symptoms is encouraged to seek medical attention. Currently, there is no specific treatment for West Nile Virus, but over the counter medicine can help reduce symptoms and supportive care can be provided in a hospital setting to those experiencing more severe symptoms. Patients can expect to exhibit symptoms for three to six days but may experience fatigue and weakness for weeks or even months. WNV is a disease that is spread by the bite of an infected mosquito. Mosquitoes can become infected when they feed on the blood of infected birds. The infected mosquitoes can then transmit WNV to humans and animals. Severe WNV infections can cause neurological complications such as encephalitis and/or meningitis. Hays County Epidemiologist Ian Harris wants to remind residents that “West Nile Virus is not contagious and that humans are ‘dead-end host,’ meaning humans are not capable of transmitting the virus to other individuals.” The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) has not confirmed a positive mosquito pool in Hays County during the 2025 Mosquito Season. The county reported positive mosquito pools for WNV in Hays County during the 2024 Mosquito Season. In the state of Texas, DSHS reported 3,314 positive mosquito pools in 2024 for West Nile Virus. As of July 29, 2025, DSHS has reported 272 positive mosquito pools for West Nile Virus. The key to preventing West Nile Virus is to minimize the number of mosquitoes in areas where people live, work and play. Public health officials strongly encourage everyone to remain vigilant about protecting themselves from mosquito bites and preventing mosquito breeding on their properties. Mosquitoes can breed in as little as one teaspoon of standing water. By draining all sources of standing water in and around your property, you reduce the number of places mosquitoes can lay their eggs and breed. HCHD reminds residents to remember the 3 Ds: DEET, Dress and Drain. DEET: Whenever outside, use insect repellents with the active ingredient DEET or other EPA-registered repellents, and always follow label instructions. DRESS: Wear long, loose and light-colored clothing outside. DRAIN: Drain or treat all standing water in and around your home or workplace where mosquitoes could lay eggs. Hays County Development Services is providing mosquito surveillance within the county to monitor and track mosquito-borne illnesses. Some mosquitoes can transfer potentially deadly diseases – known as arboviral diseases – to humans. HCDS is collecting mosquitoes to determine which areas are harboring disease-carrying mosquitoes. HCDS will set up collection traps across the county on a rotating basis to capture samples of several species of mosquitoes that will be sent to the Department of State Health Services in Austin for identification and determination of the type(s) of illness the mosquitoes could be spreading. Monitoring species, mosquito density and geographic breeding sites will provide critical early predictive data to HCDS to help monitor, prevent and combat mosquito populations and mosquito-borne illnesses. HCDS uses the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gravid-trapping method to collect mosquitoes. This trap is designed to attract female mosquitoes which are ready to lay eggs. The trap uses a fan to draw in mosquitoes that approach the liquid in the bottom of the bucket and keeps them in a collection bag until the trap is collected. HCDS also uses the BG-Sentinel trap. This trap targets other mosquito species that are vectors of other arboviruses. Collection is typically carried out from May until November throughout Texas. Hays County Development Services and the Hays County Health Department will continue to conduct mosquito pool traps and health surveillance to promote the health and safety of our residents. For more information regarding mosquito abatement, contact Hays County Development Services at 512-393-2150. Resident can view Mosquito Tracking Locations via the Hays County Development Services GIS Dashboard at https://bit.ly/HaysCountyMosquitoTrackingLocations. Visit the Texas Department of State and Health Services West Nile website for more information on the disease at txwestnile.org. # # #

To view the original notice, click here . The County of Hays received a Texas Community Development Block Grant (TxCDBG) Program grant from the Texas Department of Agriculture for a Water Improvements Project, Contract #CVD21-0346. A public hearing has been called for 5:05 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30 th , 2025, at the Hays County Health Department in the Jacob’s Well Conference Room, 101 Thermon Dr., San Marcos, Texas, 78666 to review the program performance of the activities completed under this grant which will include an explanation of the actual use of the Texas Community Development Block Grant Program funds and invite comments. For further information or assistance contact Simone Corprew at (512)749-1161. Para mas informacion en espanol, comuniquese con Julissa Rivera al (512)393-5540. El Condado de Hays recibió una subvención del Programa de Subvención en Bloque de Desarrollo Comunitario de Texas (TxCDBG) del Departamento de Agricultura de Texas para un Proyecto de Mejoras de Agua, Contrato #CVD21-0346. Se ha convocado una audiencia pública para las 5:05 p.m. del miércoles 30 de julio de 2025 en el Departamento de Salud del Condado de Hays en la Sala de Conferencias Jacob's Well, 101 Thermon Dr., San Marcos, Texas, 78666 para revisar el de sempeño del programa de las actividades completadas bajo esta subvención que incluirá una explicación del uso real del Programa de Subvención en Bloque de Desarrollo de la Comunidad de Texas e invitará a comentarios. 

SAN MARCOS, Texas — The Hays County Office of Emergency Services will conduct a coordinated test of both the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, at approximately 3:30 p.m. CST across the entire county. This test is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure that public warning systems are fully operational and capable of quickly delivering critical information to the public in the event of an emergency. About the Alert Systems: · The Emergency Alert System (EAS) is a national public warning tool that allows federal, state, and local authorities to interrupt radio, television, and cable broadcasts with important emergency information. · The Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) system allows authorized agencies to send short emergency messages directly to cell phones in targeted geographic areas. These alerts appear on devices similar to a text message, accompanied by a distinct tone and vibration.  What to Expect During the Test: · At approximately 3:30 p.m. CST, a test message will be broadcast via radio, television and cable outlets through the EAS. · Simultaneously, a WEA test message will be sent to compatible mobile phones in the County. · The messages will clearly state that they are part of a test, and no action is required from the public. “Emergency alerts save lives. By testing both WEA and EAS together, we ensure that our alerting systems are reliable, effective and ready for use when the public needs them most,” said Mike Jones, Director of Hays County Office of Emergency Services. These tests are essential for verifying that both systems function properly across different platforms and networks, and that the public is aware of what an official alert will look and sound like. The public should use this time to review their emergency plans. Media outlets are encouraged to help inform the public in advance of the test to avoid confusion. We appreciate the community’s support and understanding as we work to enhance our emergency communication capabilities. For more information about this test or alert system, please visit www.haysinformed.com/eas.

To read the stamped notice, click here . This Notice is posted according to the Texas Open Meetings Act. (VERNONS TEXAS CODES ANN. GOV. CODE CH.551). The Hays County Sheriff’s Office Civil Service Commission will hold a meeting at 10 am on the 16 th day of July 2025 , in the Hays County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Building, 1 st floor, Media Room located at 810 South Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos, Texas 78666. An Open Meeting will be held concerning the following subjects: 1. Call the meeting to order 2. Roll Call 3. Public Comments, if any 4. Approval of June 26, 2025, minutes 5. Discussion and possible action of the Promotional appeals and exam process (Williams) 6. Discussion and possible action regarding the proposed parliamentary procedures process for adding an agenda item. (Keller) 7. Adjournment Executive Sessions The Civil Service Commission will announce that it will go into Executive Session, if necessary, pursuant to Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, to receive advice from Legal Counsel to discuss matters of litigation and personnel matters as specifically listed on this agenda. The Civil Service Commission may also announce it will go into Executive Session, if necessary, to receive advice from Legal Counsel regarding any other item on this agenda. ADA Compliance Hays County encourages compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the conduct of all public meetings. To that end, persons with disabilities who plan to attend this meeting and who may need auxiliary aids such as an interpreter for a person who is hearing impaired are requested to contact the Director of the Civil Service Commission at (512) 393-7838 or via e-mail at Sandra.Galvan@hayscountytx.gov as soon as the meeting is posted (72 hours before the meeting) or as soon as practical so that appropriate arrangements can be made. While it would be helpful to receive as much advance notice as possible, Hays County will make every reasonable effort to accommodate any valid request regardless of when it is received. Braille is not available. POSTED: Date: _____________ Time: _____________ By: _____________

SAN MARCOS, Texas — The Hays County Health Department (HCHD) will host its 3rd Annual Back-To-School Fair on Aug. 2, 2025, at the Election Center, located at 120 Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos. The event will offer free resources, activities and food for the community. The fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will offer vaccinations, backpacks filled with school supplies, food, paletas, haircuts, booster seats, games and activities. Various community organizations will provide games and resources at their tables. Hays County Pct. 2 Commissioner Dr. Michelle Cohen will be handing out ice cream. Hot dogs and chips offered by the San Marcos Police Department will also be available to fair visitors. The annual fair is held to promote immunizations for the upcoming school year and to create community resiliency. "This fair is an amazing opportunity for local government and organizations to come together to offer members of our community resources, whether that is vaccines, backpacks, diapers, vision or hearing screenings, or other resources and services that they otherwise may not have received,” said Matthew Gonzales, Director of the Health Department. The fair has seen significant growth in attendance, resources, and services offered over the last two years. “Each year, this fair has grown to provide more education and more resources. It’s a testament to the trust built and work done between the department and our partners and residents,” Gonzales added. Free vaccinations will be available for children under Medicaid, underinsured, uninsured, who are American Indian or Native Alaskan and enrolled in Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) requirements. Parents or legal guardians must accompany the child and bring the vaccination records of the person getting vaccinated. Providing vaccination opportunities ahead of the school year helps our communities by freeing up valuable appointment times at our family clinics, urgent and emergency care rooms during the back-to-school rush.  “If you are unable to attend the fair, we offer a mobile clinic that serves underserved areas. You can track the mobile clinic’s schedule on our website (https://www.hayscountytx.gov/vaccinations),” said Kate Esqueda, Community Outreach Specialist. “We also provide vaccination services during regular clinic hours.” The health department clinic is open Tuesday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. On the first Monday of the month, the clinic operates from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. While walk-ins are welcome, appointments are preferred. To schedule an appointment, call the Health Department at 512-393-5520. For more information on the Back-To-School Fair and future events, visit the Hays County Health Department’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/HaysCountyLocalHealthDepartment/ or contact Community Outreach Specialist Kate Esqueda at Kate.Esqueda@hayscountytx.gov.

Fair to feature demos, entertainment, vendors, Top Dog Chili Cook-Off KYLE, Texas — The Hays County Office of Emergency Services (OES), in partnership with the City of Kyle, invites the public to the 8th Annual Emergency Preparedness Fair from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 13, 2025, at La Verde Park, 3901 Burnham in Kyle. “We are proud to sponsor and participate in this unique event that offers citizens the opportunity to learn more about preparing for disasters, while raising money for our first responders,” said City of Kyle Mayor Travis Mitchell. This free, family-friendly event brings together emergency responders, community organizations, and vendors to help residents prepare for natural or man-made disasters. The fair offers hands-on training, safety demonstrations, preparedness resources, live music, food, raffles, Top Dawg Chili Cook-Off and more. “This event is about more than preparation; it’s about connection,” said Mike Jones, Hays County Office of Emergency Services director. “The goal is to communicate the preparedness message to all residents to better protect life and property in impending and unexpected disasters, natural or manmade — an all-hazards approach.” Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in interactive and hands-on safety demonstrations, including Stop the Bleed, Take 10 CPR, Fire Extinguisher Training (P.A.S.S.), recognizing heat stroke and exhaustion and how to build a personalized emergency go-kit. Emergency vehicles and equipment will be on display throughout the day, allowing guests to explore fire engines and rescue units while interacting directly with local first responders. “This is an event to come out and meet the men and women who provide selfless service and are committed to the protection of life and property of our county,” Jones said. The event will also feature a wide variety of preparedness partners, including the Kyle Police Department, San Marcos-Hays County EMS, Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and more. Live music will play throughout the day, starting with local high school bands in the morning and followed by performances by Two Tons of Steel and the Cody Sparks Band in the afternoon. The 3rd Annual Top Dawg Chili Cook-Off is open to the public. For a $20 donation wristband, attendees can sample chili from competing teams and vote for their favorite. Proceeds benefit the Hays County Fire Chiefs Association, which helps fund firefighter training and replace equipment lost during wildfire responses.  “Come taste some great chili and help fund critical tools and training for our fire departments,” said Jones. “This year’s Preparedness Fair is bigger, better and built for our whole community.” For more information, visit www.haysinformed.com/preparednessfair or check out the event on Facebook at www.facebook.com/events/1897996784322833.

SAN MARCOS, Texas – A Kyle man was sentenced to 40 years in prison on Monday for his convictions on two charges of domestic violence and a charge of violating an emergency protective order multiple times, all against the same victim. Javier Esteban Rivera, 32, was found guilty by a Hays County jury on two counts of assault family violence – repeat offender and one count of violation of a protective order – two or more times in 12 months. After the jury’s verdict was read, the defendant entered into a plea bargain with the prosecution. He agreed to waive his right to appeal and accept a 40-year sentence rather than allow the jury to set his punishment for the convictions. Judge Joe Pool of the 428th District Court accepted the plea bargain and pronounced Rivera’s four-decade punishment. The jury was shown surveillance footage depicting an assault in a parking lot in which Rivera is seen punching the victim in the face and dragging her by her hair. They also heard jail recordings in which Rivera admitted to committing the assault. A 911 call made by the victim’s mother during a second assault was also played, in which jurors could hear the victim screaming in the background during what she testified was Rivera choking her, punching her and kicking her. At the beginning of the trial, Rivera stipulated to the fact that he had been convicted of assault family violence in the past. As part of the plea bargain, he also pleaded true to allegations that he had been previously sent to prison on at least two separate occasions. Hays County Assistant District Attorneys Jon English and Cassidy Story prosecuted the case. “It was far past time that Javier Rivera spent a serious number of years in prison,” English said. “He’s a dangerous, violent predator who did horrible things to his victims. Because of the courage of those victims in coming forward, today, he is locked up where he can’t hurt anyone else. Justice was served in this case.” “The defendant spent his life trying to control others, but he couldn’t control the jury that finally held him accountable,” Story added. Numerous members of the Kyle Police Department investigated the cases, including Detective Daniel Rainwater, Officer Joshua Cantu, and Sergeant Tera Mayfield, each of whom testified for the prosecution at trial. The trial team for the district attorney’s office also included Hays County Assistant District Attorneys Claudia Garcia and Abigail Whitaker, Victim Assistant Coordinators Annalise Brewer-Hall and Sandra Groters, Legal Assistants Avery Slocum and Mercedes Pena and Hays County District Attorney Investigator Sergeant Rheanne Garcia.

To view the original notice, click here . NOTICE OF MEETING Hays County Sheriff’s Office Civil Service Commission This Notice is posted according to the Texas Open Meetings Act. (VERNONS TEXAS CODES ANN. GOV. CODE CH.551). The Hays County Sheriff’s Office Civil Service Commission will hold a meeting at 10 am on the 26 th day of June 2025 , in the Hays County Sheriff’s Office Public Safety Building, 1 st floor, Media Room, located at 810 South Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos, Texas 78666. An Open Meeting will be held concerning the following subjects: 1. Call the meeting to order 2. Roll Call 3. Public Comments, if any 4. Approval of April 17, 2025, minutes 5. Introduction Presentation by Ryan Henry from the Law Offices of Ryan Henry, PLLC, and Civil Service Rules Policy/Discussion. (Keller) 6. Discussion and adoption of regular times for monthly meetings moving forward (Keller) 7. Discussion and possible action regarding who may sponsor an agenda item (Keller) 8. Discussion and possible action to schedule a special commission meeting to address promotional exam appeals and discuss creating a policy for the promotion appeals process. ( Williams) 9. Adjournment Executive Sessions The Civil Service Commission will announce that it will go into Executive Session, if necessary, pursuant to Chapter 551 of the Texas Government Code, to receive advice from Legal Counsel to discuss matters of litigation and personnel matters as specifically listed on this agenda. The Civil Service Commission may also announce it will go into Executive Session, if necessary, to receive advice from Legal Counsel regarding any other item on this agenda. ADA Compliance Hays County encourages compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the conduct of all public meetings. To that end, persons with disabilities who plan to attend this meeting and who may need auxiliary aids such as an interpreter for a person who is hearing impaired are requested to contact the Director of the Civil Service Commission at (512) 393-7838 or via e-mail at Sandra.Galvan@hayscountytx.gov as soon as the meeting is posted (72 hours before the meeting) or as soon as practical so that appropriate arrangements can be made. While it would be helpful to receive as much advance notice as possible, Hays County will make every reasonable effort to accommodate any valid request, regardless of when it is received. Braille is not available. POSTED: Date: _____________ Time: _____________ By: _____________

SAN MARCOS, Texas - Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins announced today that 28-year-old Benjamin Cearley of New Braunfels was sentenced to seven years in prison on June 13, 2025. On June 12, 2025, a jury found Benjamin Cearley guilty of two counts of sexual assault. The evidence at trial showed that Cearley was an acquaintance of the victim. He gave her a ride home after work and then sexually assaulted her inside her apartment. After the offense occurred, the victim thought to use her phone to record a conversation between herself and the defendant, during which the defendant admitted he was aware that the victim had told him “no” and that she didn’t want anything sexual to happen between them. Another woman also testified during the trial about the defendant’s attempt to sexually assault her inside her apartment as well. After the jury found the defendant guilty of both counts of sexual assault, the punishment phase of the trial began. The jurors heard additional testimony from the victim and her friend, detailing the traumatic effect the crime had on the victim. The defendant had no prior criminal history and was eligible for probation. The jury ultimately returned a sentence of seven years in prison for the first count of sexual assault and two years in prison for the second count of sexual assault. After sentencing, the victim chose to give a statement. She said, in part, “I will never forget the pain I’ve endured, but I am no longer letting it define my future. I am proud of myself. I am proud of myself for going through with this, for standing here today and speaking my truth. It has been a long and painful journey, and it’s taken everything in me to get to this point. I know how difficult it is for victims to come forward, to speak about something so painful and raw. Many people, after all this time, would have stayed silent. Many never do. But I chose to speak. I chose to share my story, to make my voice heard. And I will never regret that. “I hope that my courage to stand up will remind others that they are not alone, that they too can find the strength to fight, even when the scars feel too deep to heal. I hope that, in some way, this will help bring closure — not only for myself, but for anyone who has lived with this kind of trauma, with this kind of betrayal. “To the person who assaulted me, Benjamin Cearley: What you did to me was wrong. You took something from me that you had no right to take. But you will not take my future. My life, my healing, and my joy belong to me—and I am claiming them back, piece by piece. “Thank you to the Court for giving me the space to share my story. This moment is not the end of my journey, but a turning point. I am moving forward—not because of what happened, but in spite of it.” The San Marcos Police Department investigated this case, which was prosecuted by Assistant Criminal District Attorneys Jessica Rabena and Elizabeth Schmidt.  "We want to thank the victim in this case for her bravery in reporting this horrific crime and for having the strength to face the defendant in Court and testify,” Schmidt said. “I hope her courage will inspire others who have been victims of these crimes to come forward and share their stories. We also want to thank the jurors for their service and the San Marcos Police Department for their work investigating the case. Justice has prevailed.”