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.’”  # # #

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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. ###

SAN MARCOS, Texas — Lawanda Moreno pleaded guilty to arson with intent to damage a habitation (first-degree felony) and was sentenced by Judge Tracie Wright-Reneau on March 17, 2026, to 20 years in prison for a structure fire that occurred in a residential neighborhood in Kyle on Nov. 4, 2024. On the same day, Moreno was also convicted of healthcare fraud - $150,000-$300,000 (20 years), healthcare fraud - $2,500-$30,000 (2 years), and unauthorized insurance business (10 years), with the sentences to be served concurrently. Although Moreno denied having an insurance policy, investigators discovered that two policies for the residence were purchased seven and five days, respectively, before the fire. Further, while the eviction process was underway, the defendant told her property manager that she was skilled at obtaining free rent and threatened to damage the property if the eviction continued. Based on differential fire damage and burn patterns, investigators from the Hays County Fire Marshal’s Office determined that the fire originated inside a cabinet located between two windows in an upstairs bedroom. They concluded that the fire was caused by the intentional introduction of an open flame to readily ignitable materials. Agencies that participated in the investigation include: Hays County ESD No. 5 Kyle Fire Department; the Kyle Police Department; the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Rangers; the Hays County Sheriff’s Office; the Buda Police Department; the Austin Police Department; the State Fire Marshal’s Office; and the Hays County District Attorney’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Hays County Assistant District Attorney Courtney Hansen. “The Hays County Fire Marshal’s Office extends its sincere appreciation for the dedication and professionalism demonstrated by our personnel and the assisting agencies throughout this investigation,” said Hays County Interim Fire Marshal Aaron Bauer. “The collaboration and coordination among these agencies were instrumental in the successful outcome of this investigation. We remain committed to working together to protect our community and ensure that incidents like this are thoroughly and responsibly addressed.” ###

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KYLE, Texas — Hays County will host an in-person open house on April 23 to share updates and gather public input on planned improvements to FM 2001. The project includes safety improvements and roadway realignment between I-35 and SH 21 to improve safety and mobility in a rapidly growing area of the county. “Hays County is committed to a transparent planning process that keeps residents informed as road projects move forward. As our region continues to grow, it's important that the community understands how planned improvements to FM 2001 will support future transportation needs,” said Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe. The FM 2001 Improvements Open House will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 23, at Studio Estates Event Center, 6880 Goforth Road in Kyle. The open-house format allows residents to stop by at any time to review project information, learn about next steps and speak directly with the project team. “As our region grows, we are prioritizing infrastructure investments that keep pace with the needs of our residents. Improvements along FM 2001 are a key part of that effort, designed to improve mobility and make travel safer and more efficient,” said Commissioner Michelle Cohen. Meeting materials and opportunities to submit comments will also be available online at hayscoroads.com from April 23 through May 6. Project Overview The County and TxDOT have worked together to identify, design, and construct improvements along several segments of FM 2001. A portion of the project was completed in 2022, and the county is now preparing to move forward with the remaining improvements. The FM 2001 Improvements Project aims to support future transportation needs by enhancing safety and mobility within the growing region while respecting local priorities and environmental constraints. Additional details about the project can be found at hayscoroads.com. ###

SAN MARCOS , Texas – The Office of Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins announced the successful hosting of a multi-agency “Autism in Criminal Justice Settings” training. The training, held on March 27, 2026, centered on increasing understanding of autism spectrum conditions throughout the criminal justice system. Attendees included representatives from the Hays County Criminal District Attorney’s Office, Hays County Sheriff’s Office, Buda Police Department, Kyle Police Department and Hays County Juvenile Probation Department. Anne Jackson, a Bell County assistant county attorney, led the training and spoke about how raising a child on the autism spectrum raised her awareness of neurodiversity issues relevant to her work as a prosecutor. Her experiences allowed her to make more informed decisions in cases where victims, witnesses and defendants on the autism spectrum were frequently misunderstood by first responders, lawyers, probation officers and the courts. “It is incumbent upon lawyers in the system, whether we be defense, prosecutors or judges, to know what to do when we hear or read the word ‘autism’ in our work. We are the gatekeepers — the people with the power to affect people’s liberty and lives,” said Jackson. Participants also heard from Jackson’s son, Tres, who talked openly about his life on the autism spectrum and coordinated directly with participants on strategies for engaging with those on the autism spectrum at various criminal justice touchpoints. Tres noted, “Autism doesn’t care about your skin color, religion or sexuality. We try to be like everyone else, but there are going to be days when we struggle. When we call for help, I want us to be seen as someone in need ... and not any of these other things.” “We are proud to be the first prosecutor’s office in the State to host this training for our criminal justice partners,” stated Landon Campbell, division chief in the Hays County Criminal District Attorney’s Office. “We hope to use this training as a springboard to increase awareness of mental health and intellectual disability issues in our local criminal justice system and beyond.” The Hays County Criminal District Attorney’s Office thanks Anne Jackson, Tres Jackson and Bell County Attorney Jim Nichols for dedicating resources to this pivotal training. # # #

Hays County Historical Commission

SAN MARCOS, Texas — Hays County announced today that its Social Service Grant application for fiscal year 2027 is now open. Applications are due by 3 p.m. CST on June 1, 2026. According to Hays County Precinct 1 Commissioner Debbie Ingalsbe, the grant program provides funds to established social service agencies that address specific needs among priority populations in the county. “The Hays County Commissioners Court administers Social Service Grants to promote community well‑being and to address gaps in services among populations in need,” said Ingalsbe. “These investments help strengthen the local network of organizations that residents rely on every day. By supporting agencies that are already making a measurable difference, we’re able to expand access to vital resources and ensure that more families, individuals, and neighborhoods receive timely support.” Previous awardees have used funds to support library services, senior services, career advancement initiatives, youth programming, mental health and substance use treatment, animal services, food assistance and more. To qualify, applicants must: • Be a nonprofit entity • Be located within Hays County, Texas • Provide services to Hays County residents • Complete the proposed project within the one‑year grant period • Clearly define a Hays County population in need and outline activities that will address that need The grant period is from Oct. 1, 2026, to Sept. 30, 2027. To better align with the County’s Strategic Initiatives, the application process has been updated to encourage systematic program approaches. Awardees will now be required to submit quarterly programmatic reports throughout the grant period. Prospective applicants are encouraged to attend either the virtual webinar or in‑person meeting from 2–3 p.m. on April 1, 2026. The in‑person session will be held at the Hays County Elections Center, 120 Stagecoach Trail, San Marcos, Texas 78666. The virtual meeting link is available at www.hayscountytx.gov/county-administrator . The meeting will provide an overview of the reporting requirements and introduce the FY2027 point of contact. Attendees will also have an opportunity to ask questions about the application process. “By investing in organizations already doing critical work in our communities, Hays County is helping strengthen long‑term solutions for residents who rely on these services every day,” said Precinct 2 Commissioner Dr. Michelle Cohen. “We look forward to partnering with agencies committed to creating meaningful, measurable impact.” The application, scoring rubric and application worksheet are now available on the County Administrator’s webpage: www.hayscountytx.gov/county-administrator . For more information, contact Hays County Grants Coordinator Genevieve Kitts at genevieve.kitts@hayscountytx.gov . ###