A coalition of environmental groups last week announced its opposition to a proposed 5,000-seat concert venue at 14820 Fitzhugh Road, near Dripping Springs. The coalition, Stop Fitzhugh Concert Venue, says it’s concerned about negative impacts the venue might bring to Barton Creek, as well as increased traffic on narrow country roads, drunk driving, and noise […]
Hays County
Posted inHays County
Best Buy to locate internet sales hub in San Marcos
A new Best Buy internet retail sales operation center will start with 25 employees and add more in coming years under an economic development incentive agreement approved today by San Marcos and Hays County officials. It will be the only facility of its type in Texas, and company officials expect it to generate $240 million […]
Posted inUncategorized
State law forces environmental groups to change strategy
The effects of Senate Bill 709, signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott last year, are starting to be felt. The bill changed Texas’ contested hearing process for environmental permits. One of its main effects was to shift the burden of proof to the person or organization protesting, rather than applying for, a permit. The […]
Posted inHays County
Dripping Springs’ proposed wastewater plan could threaten aquifers
The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District is moving quickly to prevent a change in the city of Dripping Springs’ wastewater management that could threaten Dripping Springs’ drinking water. The city of Dripping Springs has applied for a permit to discharge treated effluent from its wastewater plant into Onion Creek. But a recent study has confirmed […]
Posted inTransit
Hays County uncouples from Lone Star Rail
After dodging a potential death blow on Monday night, the Lone Star Rail District took another hit on the chin on Tuesday. One day after the Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization opted not to freeze its funding of LSTAR, the Hays County Commissioners Court voted to ditch the passenger rail planning effort. The measure on […]
Posted inHays County
It’s About Thyme to move: Nursery to be replaced by apartments
A longtime business on Manchaca Road is searching for a new home. It’s About Thyme nursery recently learned that the property on which it sits was sold for $2.8 million. The new business taking over that land? Apartments. Co-owner Diane Winslow recently wrote a letter to friends and customers about the issue. “Dear Friends. Out […]
Posted inHays County
Mountain City residents to council: Don’t change our town
Mountain City Council members appear to have a different view of the future of Mountain City than many residents of the tiny town. At least that is the impression after the May 20 public meeting. About 65 people attended the special called public meeting held at the Plum Creek Golf Club. They were there to […]
Posted inHays County
Hays County home appraisal values up for 2015
Hays County residents started seeing their annual notice of home appraisals in the mail this week. The Hays Central Appraisal District started sending out the notices — more than 76,000 of them — May 1. And some homeowners are not happy about what those letters say. Yvonne Flores-Cale responded to the Hays Free Press in […]
Posted inEMS, Hays County
Hays to ask voters to OK new funds for ESD2 growth
Is it time for northeastern Hays County residents to start paying the full price for emergency medical services? Buda Fire Chief Clay Huckaby hopes voters will think so come May 9 when they have a chance to make a difference in the lean budget on which the Emergency Services District, or ESD2, operates. The district […]
Posted inHays County
Hays commish calls out Buda mayor on Facebook
The cross-county water fight between the Wimberley/Driftwood area and Buda heated up this week as Hays County Commissioner Will Conley used his Facebook page to call out Buda Mayor Todd Ruge in an open letter, calling the city’s testimony at the Texas Capitol on Monday “a disgrace.” Buda’s Assistant City Manager Brian LaBorde testified against […]
Posted inAustin, Hays County, Roads, Transportation, Travis County
US Fish and Wildlife concerned about SH 45 SW
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sent letters to Mayor Steve Adler, Travis County Judge Sarah Eckhardt and others Wednesday, expressing concerns about the potential environmental impacts of the proposed State Highway 45 Southwest on the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan, or BCCP. Eckhardt has called for a hold on current plans for the highway. In […]
Posted inHays County
Hays County hears hydrologist on well project
The debate about the Electro Purification well project continued Tuesday in Hays County Commissioners Court as a neutral scientist weighed in on the data. District Senior Hydrologist and Aquifer Science Team Leader Brian Smith with the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District presented his agency’s findings on the hydrological studies and analyses associated with the Electro […]