Hays County Commissioners Court unanimously voted to adopt a proclamation recognizing the 175th anniversary of the Hays County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO). Members of the HCSO were at court Tuesday morning, August 1, to accept the proclamation. From the proclamation: The women and men serving as sheriff’s deputies, animal control officers, emergency communications officers, and civilian positions take pride in serving the community, businesses and visitors of Hays County.

UPDATE: Power was restored and the building is open as usual. Sharing the situation at the Hays County Government Center in San Marcos: the building will be closed beginning at 4 p.m. today, July 24, to address an electrical issue. The power has been going off and on for most of the day. The power will be shut off to allow troubleshooting of the system. Please check back in the morning on social media and our website for updated information.

UPDATE 3:40 p.m. 7-18-23: Officials are closing FM 967 from Ruby Ranch Rd. to 6025 FM 967 to allow emergency vehicles easier access to battle the wildfire in that neighborhood. ORIGINAL: RUBY RANCH WILDFIRE INFO Posted 2:50 p.m. 7-18-23 The Texas Wildland Task Force was called to assist with a wild fire in the Ruby Ranch subdivision in West Buda near Montgomery Court. At this time, officials say the fire is limited to a roughly 30-acre area. Starflight is on scene for water drops. All Hays County ESDs are assisting Buda Fire Dept./ESD #8. EMS is also on scene as is Hays County CERT – Hays County, Texas for firefighter rehab. We have no indication of the cause of the fire yet. No structures are in danger but out of an abundance of caution, officials from the Hays County Office of Emergency Management said four homes have been evacuated.  Should more be asked to leave their homes, information will be communicated directly to those residents. We will also update this post and our emergency information website haysinformed.com. For evacuated families – The following locations are available for your family to come while you are unable to be in your homes: Hays Hills Baptist Church 1401 FM N 1626, Buda Hays Community YMCA 465 Buda Sportsplex Dr, FM 1626, Buda Buda United Methodist Church 302 Elm St,, Buda

A Hays County jury found 63-year-old Elias Villarreal guilty on Wed., July 12, of Aggravated Assault Against a Public Servant and Resisting Arrest with a Deadly Weapon. Judge Gary Steel assessed a sentence of 35 years. The evidence in the trial showed that on Feb. 20, 2022, Kyle Police Department responded to the intersection of Quail Ridge Rd. and East Post Rd. for a verbal disturbance call between a male and female. Officers arrived on the scene and observed Villarreal wielding a metal pipe. Upon law enforcement’s arrival, Villarreal jumped over a fence and attacked a patrol vehicle, striking it several times and doing significant damage. Officers gave Villarreal repeated orders to drop the weapon and attempted to use a Taser to stop Villarreal’s aggressive behavior, but he then confronted the officers with the pipe in hand before turning briefly away. At that moment when Villarreal was turned, Officer Seagrave ran up to Villarreal and tackled him to the ground. Before Officer Seagrave could disarm Villarreal, he turned and struck Officer Seagrave with the metal pipe. Officers apprehended him and took him into custody. Officer Seagrave sustained a minor injury. Officers Seagrave and Orr testified at the trial about the dangerous and stressful situation Villarreal created and the actions they took to protect the community, Villarreal, and themselves. During the punishment phase of the trial, Judge Steel heard evidence of Villarreal’s extensive criminal history, including convictions for Voluntary Manslaughter, Forgery, Burglary of a Vehicle, Assault Family Violence, Assault Family Violence (third-degree felony), and Assault Family Violence (first-degree felony) with a prior 28-year sentence from a Travis County jury. Villarreal stated during his punishment testimony that he “has no guilt” for what happened on Feb. 20, 2022, and refused to accept responsibility for his actions. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney (ADA) Cassidy Story and ADA Allison Buess. Story said, “The verdict and sentence send a clear message that violence against our law enforcement officers will not be taken lightly.” District Attorney Kelly Higgins expressed his gratitude to the ADAs, staff, and officers whose work secured the verdict. Higgins commended the jury and the court for their work in resolving the case and making the county a safer place for all its residents and visitors.