04/09/20 Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

By Madyson Sanchez
Junior News Reporter

SAN MARCOS, Texas – As of April 9, 2020, at 6 p.m., Hays County Local Health reported 79 lab-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Hays County.  Seven tests are pending and awaiting results.

The City of San Marcos Municipal Court announced today that it will utilize virtual courtrooms starting Tuesday, April 14, in efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.  

The new law was approved by The Texas Supreme Court, Court of Criminal Appeals and the Texas Office of Court Administration and allows for virtual arraignments, pretrial hearings, attorney dockets, show cause dockets, plea dockets and most hearings.  

“The need for accommodations during this time of disaster is highly evident,” said Judge Landry in a April 9 press release. “Our goal is to move forward with a renewed sense of sensitivity to the issues of financial strife being faced by the public and the inability for participants to satisfy certain case requirements.”

The city of San Marcos announced yesterday that it will be receiving over $6 million in disaster-relief aid from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act signed by the President late last month.

CARE Act funds received by the city may be allocated to public transit, capital, operation and other expenses eligible in order to prevent and respond to the COVID-19 outbreak.  Details regarding the distribution timeline are still being developed.

While many Texas counties are shutting down parks and trails to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Kyle recently opened 12 miles of trails at Plum Creek Trail for residents to use.  

Kyle city officials said that residents can use these trails as a safe way to get outside while social distancing protocols are still enforced.  Plum Creek Trail will be open everyday until dusk.  

“The opening of more trail systems in the city of Kyle is designed to keep people separated, allow for them to walk with that separation, and hopefully enjoy the outdoors in what is obviously an unprecedented shelter in place environment,” Kyle Mayor Travis Mitchell said.