Fact Check: Was a pregnant dog tied up outside in the freezing weather Jan. 16, 2018?

Fact: On Jan. 16, local media commented on a video sent to them by a viewer. Call logs show that an Animal Control officer visited the residence at 6:30 p.m. that evening. The dog was tethered to a tree with a small cord, but that was not preventing the d...

Rumor: The City of San Marcos has enacted new regulations that caused the Hitch to close

Rumor: The City of San Marcos has enacted new regulations for Mobile Food Vendors that caused the Hitch to close.

Fact: Beginning in January of 2017 the Health Department began working with mobile food vendors to ensure they were able to be mobil...

Rumor: The City of San Marcos is anti-pet and won’t allow animals at eating establishments & bars.

Rumor:  The City of San Marcos is anti-pet and won’t allow animals at eating establishments and bars.

Fact: Texas State law within the 2006 Texas Food Establishment Rules, which the city has adopted, prohibits animals on the premises of food estab...

Rumor: The City of San Marcos is charging fees for entry into the San Marcos River.

Fact: The City is not charging for access to the river or river parks, and has no plans at this time to implement park user fees.

The Parks Advisory Board and City staff made a presentation to the City City during the February 21, 2017 City Council meeting...

Rumor: A scary clown hoax has made it to San Marcos.

Fact: At this time, the San Marcos Police Department has no active cases involving clowns as suspects, witnesses, or victims.

The department is aware that there is at least one spurious clown social media account in San Marcos.  

While there have b...

Rumor: Resident are concerned about what appeared to be a kidnapping or hostage situation.

Fact: We looked into the concerns and our police department tells us the incident took place Monday night after patrons and employees of IHOP saw a man and woman arguing near a vehicle next to the Old CiCis pizza in Springtown Center. There was also anoth...

Rumor: The City of San Marcos has hiked the minimum wage to $15 an hour plus benefits.

Fact: The City of San Marcos and the State of Texas adopts the federal minimum wage rate.

The San Marcos City Council voted on Feb. 2. 2016 to amend the City of San Marcos Economic Development Policy to require all jobs calculated or counted for economic d...

SMFD Gets Fired Up About Reading

Firefighters enjoy reading to children and teaching them about fire safety.  Teaching fire safety saves lives.  Parents brought their children to a recent event at the San Marcos city library to see a firefigher in fire protection gear t...

Junior Fire Academy Summer Camp

The camp is from 8am – 2pm.  Drop off is available starting at 7:30am and pick up no later than 3pm.  This will be a great opportunity to interact with your local fire department and enjoy some fun activities. Junior Fire Acade...

100 Club Good Friday Fundraiser Success

In appreciation of the 100 Club’s mission of assisting families of first responders killed and critically injured in the line of duty, the South Central Texas McDonald’s Co-op hosted its 17^th Annual Bells and Whistles Good Friday Fundr...

1st Annual Kenneth Copeland Fitness Challenge

The challenge was in memory of fallen San Marcos police officer, Kenneth Copeland.  Eight San Marcos Fire Department personnel, Captains Justin Calhoun, Brian Quackenbush, Engineer Jonathan Pakula, and Firefighters Tanner McLean, Ross Garman, Ben...

Firefighters, City Staff, and Civilians Honored by Fire Department

The San Marcos Fire Department honored outstanding firefighters, city staff and citizens at the annual awards ceremony held on Thursday, March 1, 2018 at the Activity Center.

Fire Chief Les Stephens presided at the special event. Top awards went to:

• Enginee...

Citizens Fire Academy Graduation

Graduates from the 2017 class of the San Marcos Fire Department’s Citizens Fire Academy accepted their diplomas during the academy’s seventh graduation ceremony on November 6.  Citizens Fire Academy is a challenging 12-week pr...

Congratulations to the SMFD Graduates

Captains Justin Calhoun, Clint Foehner, and Tory Turner applied to and were accepted into the Texas Fire Chiefs Academy – a two year program sponsored by the Texas Fire Chiefs Association.  Foehner completed his first year and is looking forward ...

Public Safety Bond Gets Voter OK

The public safety bond included the relocation of the Holland Street Fire Station #2, the construction of a new fire station on the east side of Interstate 35, the creation of a fire training facility located near the airport, and renovations to the San M...

City Council Approves New San Marcos Development Code

“This is a day of celebration! Our new code has been in the works for four years, combining the efforts of City planners, citizens and stakeholders in a collaborative and transparent process involving numerous public meetings and presentations,&...

Online Submittals

Online application submittals will be required moving forward. The move from paper to electronic files will also be a time saving tool for applicants. A kiosk is available in the Planning office for those applicants who do not have access to a computer, o...

Legacy Project

The Legacy Project is a hands-on community planning effort which, this year, was focused on the revitalization of Downtown Frisco. Amanda, Emilio and Craig, all undergrad students at Texas State University, competed against Grad and Doctorate students fro...

2018 Preferred Scenario Amendment Schedule Available

The schedule for the 2018 Spring Preferred Scenario Amendment Process may be found HERE. The application deadline for this twice-per-year process is January 8, 2018. All applications for amendment to the Preferred Scenario Map may be made online at www.my...

Revised Fee Schedule

The City Council provided direction to Planning and Development Services staff to research fee revenue and actual cost of service to process permits, review applications, and inspect permitted projects. Staff researched fees charged by other cities and an...

Code SMTX - Adoption Process Begins

Code SMTX, the project to update the City’s land development code, continues to make progress and has moved into the approval stage. Find out more about how the Code is implementing the City’s Comprehensive Plan.

City Shred Day Moved to May 12 Due to Weather

Due to the threat of thunderstorms the morning of April 21 the San Marcos City Clerk’s office has rescheduled their Shred Day event to on Saturday, May 12.

This free event is available to San Marcos and Hays County residents from 9 a.m. to 12 noo...

Suspect in March 10 Assault Turns Self In

A man accused of assaulting another man downtown last month, causing him severe injuries, has turned himself in.

Bryan Albert Garcia (DOB 01/26/1984) of Boerne turned himself in to the Hays County Jail early Thursday morning, April 19. He was charged with ...

Applications Available for LEGIT Internship Program

The City of San Marcos, in partnership with the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce and SMCISD, is currently accepting applications for the LEGIT Summer Internship Program.

LEGIT stands for principles the students will encounter during the program: Learning, Ex...

Youth Services to Host 2nd Annual Mother & Son Bowling Night

The City of San Marcos’ Parks and Recreation Department’s Youth Services Division will host the Second Annual Mother & Son Bowling Night on Thursday, May 10. Mothers and mother figures are invited to bring their sons, ages two and ...

Main Street Nets Series of Awards, Grants

The San Marcos Main Street Program announced on Monday, April 12 that their efforts in beautifying and improving downtown have recently won multiple awards, grants and recognition.

Main Street invited the partners, Advisory Board, committee members and pub...

SMPD Arrests Men Accused in Pizza Delivery Robbery

San Marcos Police have arrested five men accused of robbing a pizza delivery driver earlier this month.

On April 7 just before 5 p.m., the victim received a delivery order of pizza to Aqua 16 apartments. When he delivered the pizzas, the residents of the a...

City Council Approves New San Marcos Development Code

The San Marcos City Council approved Code SMTX, a new 434-page development code that aligns with the City’s comprehensive plan and will guide how the City grows in the coming years.

“This is a day of celebration! Our new code has been in the works for four...

San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter Pets of the Week

Dog of the Week: Link

Looking for a loyal, easygoing and all-around lovable guy? Then Link is the one for you! This two year-old rottweiler-hound mix is social with dogs, cats, and everything in between.

Link had a broken leg that healed incorrectly, which ...

City Shred Day Slated April 21 at City Hall

The San Marcos City Clerk’s office will sponsor a free Shred Day for San Marcos and Hays County residents from 9 a.m. to 12 noon (or until the truck is full) on Saturday, April. 21 at City Hall, 630 E. Hopkins.

The limit is three boxes per vehicl...

Community Meeting to be held April 18 at Activity Center

City Engineers will host a public meeting on Wednesday, April 18 in Room 2 of the San Marcos Activity Center, 501 E. Hopkins, at 6 p.m. to gather comments on proposed infrastructure projects that are being considered for flood mitigation on the Blanco Riv...

Traffic Update

Durango Street: Durango Street between Juarez Street and Monterrey Street will be closed from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until the end of April for a reclaimed waterline project. Rockin Q Construction, 512.738.6666 

East San Antonio Street: Every S...

Mountain Lions Sighted Near Purgatory Greenspace

Off-duty San Marcos Police officers have made two mountain lion sightings near the Purgatory Park area in the past month. The sightings were both at dusk, which is a common time for the large cats to be moving and beginning to hunt.

“Mountain lio...

San Marcos Public Library News

Babies Need Books!

San Marcos Public Library

Tuesdays at 9:15 a.m. through Nov. 10

Contact: Deborah Carter/512.393.8210

Books are Vitamins for Your Baby's Brain!

Every week, the San Marcos Public Library provides parents and caregivers with books, story times,...

Skywarn Weather Spotter Training Scheduled at Fire Station #5

The City of San Marcos will host National Weather Service Skywarn Weather Spotting Training Tuesday, April 24 at Fire Station #5, 100 Carlson Circle, from 6-8 p.m.

The training will address severe weather topics specific to South Central Texas, as well as ...

City Awarded Additional $24 Million in Disaster Recovery Funds

The City of San Marcos has been awarded an additional $24 million in disaster recovery funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, bringing the total awarded since the 2015 floods to $57.8 million.

“We were excited to receive...

City Welcomes Tyler Hjorth as Head of San Marcos Electric Utility

Tyler Hjorth has been named Assistant Director of Public Services, heading the City’s electric utility operations. He joined the City on March 12, 2018.

“Tyler is an excellent addition to the City team,” said City Manager Bert...

Downtown Swing Expands With Additional Venues, Free Shows

San Marcos’ 26^th annual Downtown Swing festival is bigger and better this year, featuring a brand new format, more artists, and multiple music venues across downtown April 12 - 15.

Also, for the first time ever, the entire schedule of events is f...

Protect Your Trees From Oak Wilt

Spring is the season for yard work, but residents should avoid pruning their oak trees this time of year to help prevent oak wilt.

“Mature shade trees like oaks increase property value and are an essential part of the Central Texas environment,&a...

Main Street Wins Multiple Awards, Grants

The San Marcos Main Street Program announced today that their efforts in beautifying and improving downtown has won multiple awards, grants and recognition.

Main Street invites the public to attend the formal Proclamation at City Hall to celebrate the awar...

Animal Shelter Hosting “Sweet” Adoption Specials in April

The San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter is hosting “A Super Sweet Adoption Month” to celebrate spring adoptions.

During the entire month of April, all dog and cat adoptions are only $50, and all puppy and kitten adoptions are only $75.

Gi...

Summer Camp Registration Open for San Marcos Residents

Registration is now open for residents for the annual Summer Fun and Discovery Camp programs. People may register children for these fun and educational summer camps in person at the Grant Harris Jr. Building, 401 E. Hopkins.

Registration for non-residents...

April City Hall Calendar

Sunday, April 1, 2018

 The San Marcos Public Library will be closed for the Easter Holiday. 

Monday, April 2, 2018

City Council Proclamations, 4 p.m. Council Chambers, City Hall, 630 E. Hopkins. (Telev...

City Warns of Scammers Posing as Police Department

The San Marcos Police Department is warning the public of a new, sophisticated scam in which a caller is posing as the department and “spoofing” the SMPD phone number.

A victim of this scam received a phone call appearing to come from t...

Police Searching for Suspect in March 10 Assault

The San Marcos Police Department is asking the public for help in identifying a man who assaulted another man downtown earlier this month and caused severe injuries.

Injury to the victim occurred when his head struck the ground, knocking him unconscious an...

Keep San Marcos Beautiful ‘Live on the Lawn’ Begins April 5

The City of San Marcos will host the Keep San Marcos Beautiful (KSMB) Live on the Lawn concert series beginning Thursday, April 5, 2018 at 6:30 p.m. at the San Marcos Plaza Park stage, 401 E. Hopkins, located at the corner of CM Allen Parkway and Hopkins....

Bike boxes repainted downtown for increased bicycle safety

The bike boxes downtown have recently been repainted to help increase bicyclist safety.

The green areas on N. LBJ at the intersections of Hopkins, Hutchison and University are called “bike boxes” and are designated areas where bicyclist...

Library Earns ‘Texas Achievement in Library Excellence Award’

The San Marcos Public Library has been awarded the 2017 Texas Achievement in Library Excellence Award, a statewide honor given by the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association.

“I am so proud of the San Marcos Public Library staff,”...

Public Invited to Workshops on Proposed Trail System

The public is invited to attend workshops on the Emerald Crown Regional Trail concept, a proposed trail system that would link Buda, Kyle and San Marcos. All workshops begin at 7 p.m., with presentations from 7-7:30 p.m. and an open house period for publi...

City to Host Open House on Private Pond Inspections

The City of San Marcos will host an open house on annual inspection requirements for owners of permanent stormwater management facilities Tuesday, March 27 from 1-3 p.m. at the San Marcos Activity Center Multipurpose Room, 501 E. Hopkins.

City staff will g...

River Users Warned to Avoid Mill Race, Collapsed Footbridge

The City of San Marcos is warning river users to avoid the Mill Race because of a collapsed footbridge blocking the channel.

The footbridge connecting the closed Thompson’s Island parkland with the bank of the San Marcos River has collapsed and p...

Registration Open for New Life Long Learning Classes

San Marcos Parks and Recreation is offering new Life Long Learning courses for the greater San Marcos area beginning in April.

The classes are primarily for those age 50 and above, but adults of any age are welcome to register. For complete course descript...

San Marcos Public Library News

Attracting Pollinators in your Yard and Garden

Thursday, March 22, 2018

6-7 p.m.

What do hummingbirds, butterflies and bees have in common? They all pollinate flowering plants.

Master Gardener Joseph Blanford will guide participants as they create a landscape...

Spaces Available for Guadalupe River Family Camping Trip

The City of San Marcos’ Parks and Recreation Department has partnered with Texas State University’s Department of Health and Human Performance to host the 2018 Guadalupe River Camping Trip. This is a free family campout for up to 20 mi...

City Statement Regarding Suspicious Package Diligence

In response to the recent bombing incidents in Austin and Schertz, the City of San Marcos, through Police Chief Chase Stapp, provides the following statement to the community:

The San Marcos Police Department has been monitoring the situation involving exp...

Neighborhood Evacuated During Monday SWAT Standoff

A man shot a woman and barricaded himself in a home before fatally shooting himself Monday morning.

The incident began when a vehicle pulled up to a convenience store on SH 80 at 8 a.m. Witnesses saw a woman screaming and trying to leave the vehicle, and a...

Craddock Median Work Begins Next Week

Work begins Monday on a Community Enhancement project to overhaul the medians on Craddock Avenue, which will add native plants and decorative stonework.

During the project, motorists can expect lane closures on Craddock Avenue between Old Ranch Road 12 and...

City Earns Statewide Floodplain Management Award

The City of San Marcos has been awarded the 2018 City Floodplain Management Excellence Award by the Texas Floodplain Management Association. The City was recognized at the Texas Floodplain Management Association’s (TFMA) 30th Annual Conference h...

Volunteers Keep Tons of Trash, Tires, Out of River

A record number of volunteers turned out for the 33^rd Annual Great Texas River Clean Up March 3, picking up many tons of trash and recyclable materials from the San Marcos River and its watershed.  

More than 1,000 volunteers picked up trash and d...

Melissa Neel to Join City as Assistant Finance Director

The City of San Marcos has selected Melissa Neel as Assistant Director of Finance, a newly created position that places her in charge of preparing the City’s annual budget, effective March 15.

Neel joins the City from CPS Energy, where she served...

Mutt Strutt San Marcos to Host Fajita Dinner Fundraiser for the San Marcos Animal Shelter

Mutt Strutt San Marcos will host a Fajita Dinner Fundraiser for the San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter Monday, March 19 from 6-8 p.m. at Aquabrew, located at 150 S L B J Drive.

Tickets are $10 and include a full fajita dinner. All proceeds go to the San Ma...

State Department to Increase Passport Fees April 2

The U.S. Department of State will raise passport acceptance fees beginning Monday, April 2.

The fees will increase from $25 to $35. Other fees for passport application services remain the same.

Updated fee charts are available online at www.sanmarcostx.gov/...

Firefighters, Staff, and Civilians Honored by Fire Department

The San Marcos Fire Department honored outstanding firefighters, city staff and citizens at the annual awards ceremony held on Thursday, March 1 at the San Marcos Activity Center.

Fire Chief Les Stephens presided at the special event. Top awards went to:

• En...

San Marcos Downtown Co-Marketing Fund Grants Available

Tour San Marcos and the Main Street Program are making a new effort to introduce business owners to the downtown co-marketing fund, a program to help downtown businesses promote themselves and bring new visitors from outside of the area to the town center...

Stark Named City’s Communications and Intergovernmental Relations Director

City Manager Bert Lumbreras has appointed Kristy Stark as the Director of Communications and Intergovernmental Relations with the City of San Marcos, effective February 26, 2018.

Stark has served in an interim capacity since September 2017 and began her ca...

SMPD Arrests Burglary Suspects Early Sunday Morning

San Marcos Police have arrested two men suspected of burglarizing electronics stores in New Braunfels and San Marcos.

At 5:29 a.m. on March 4, officers responded to the Best Buy located at 1050 McKinley Place Drive to investigate a reported alarm showing m...

Draft Updates to Heath Code Posted for Review

The City of San Marcos is posting draft updates to the City’s Health Code online today and asking residents to review and comment on them through the end of March.

The proposed updates, a comment form, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) will b...

Fee Schedule Update Takes Effect March 1

An updated fee schedule for planning and development fees at the City of San Marcos will go into effect March 1.

The Planning and Development Services Department regularly reviews their fee schedule in an effort to meet the city council’s goal to...

Animal Shelter Expands Partnership with Austin Pets Alive!

The San Marcos Regional Animal Shelter is expanding its partnership with Austin Pets Alive!, a rescue and adoption organization that has offered to receive all cats that come into the shelter and are not able to be adopted.

“This is an amazing bl...

San Marcos Public Library News

Monthly Book Chat

Every Fourth Thursday

2 p.m.

San Marcos Public Library

Contact: Deborah Carter, 512.393.8210

Join us for an hour of chatting about books during the San Marcos Public Library’s Monthly Book Chat at 2 p.m. every fourth Thursday.

While ...

SMPD Arrests Man Wanted for Murder in Virginia

San Marcos Police have arrested a man accused of a murder in Virginia.

At around 10 p.m. Feb. 20, SMPD detectives, with the assistance of a SWAT arrest team, took Jake Andrew Lewis (DOB 08/24/1994) into custody at 121 Craddock Ave. He was armed with a hand...

SMPD Mental Health Unit Training, Deploying Therapy Dog

The San Marcos Police Department has a new member in training, and he’s cuddlier than the average police officer.

Sheldon Lee Cooper is a border collie mix assigned to the San Marcos Police Department Mental Health Unit as the new therapy dog in ...

2018 Party in Your Park Series Kicks Off February 23

The City of San Marcos Parks and Recreation Department will host the first event of the 2018 Party in Your Park series on Friday, Feb. 23 from 6-9 p.m. at Franklin Square Park, 1902 N Bishop St.

Party in Your Park is a series of events that will bring posi...

Set Up a Monarch Butterfly-Friendly Garden

Registration is now open for the MiGreat Challenge, a City-hosted competition to create beautiful, monarch butterfly-friendly gardens.

Prizes will be given to the first, second and third place gardens. Prizes include an official certification from Monarch ...

Public Invited to Appeal or Comment on Flood Maps for Caldwell, Gonzales, Guadalupe, and Hays Co.

New preliminary flood risk information and updated Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) will be available for review by San Marcos residents and business owners beginning Jan. 25. Individuals may view preliminary maps online at www.fema.gov/preliminaryfloodha...

SMPD Officer Shot and Killed in the Line of Duty Identified

A San Marcos Police Officer shot and killed Monday afternoon while serving a warrant in the El Camino Real subdivision has been identified.

Officer Kenneth Copeland, 58, and other SMPD officers were serving a warrant in the El Camino Real subdivision Monda...

San Marcos Municipal Court Delayed Until 10 a.m.

Hays County offices will have a delayed opening at 10 a.m. on Monday due to potential severe weather.  The San Marcos Municipal Court, which is housed in the Hays County Government Center will also open at 10 a.m.  All other City of San ...

City of San Marcos Prepares for More Outages

City of San Marcos Prepares for More Outages

The City of San Marcos Electric Utility (SMEU) continues to make repairs after addressing over four hundred outages today and fielding more than one thousand calls.  City officials say many of...

Harvey Continues to Bring Strong Rains and Officials Warn Residents to Stay Alert to Weather, Drivin

Harvey Continues to Bring Strong Rains and Officials Warn Residents to Stay Alert to Weather, Driving Situations

With additional road closures throughout Hays County and City jurisdictions, emergency management and first response officials continue to remi...

El Condado de Hays y La Cuidad de San Marcos activar completamente el Centro de Operaciones de Emerg

El Condado de Hays y La Cuidad de San Marcos activar completamente el Centro de Operaciones de Emergencia; Establecer una línea telefónica no urgente para residents.

El Conda...

Hays County, City of San Marcos Fully Activate Emergency Operations Center; Establish Non-Emergency

Over Friday night and through early Saturday morning, sporadic heavy rains were reported and several low water crossings are closed throughout the county. No unusual events have occurred and no shelters are open at this time. Officials anticipate that hig...

SECRETARY CARSON ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL $179 MILLION TO HELP STATES RECOVER FROM 2015, 2016 DISASTERS

SECRETARY CARSON ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL $179 MILLION TO HELP STATES RECOVER FROM 2015, 2016 DISASTERS

Funding to support recovery in hard-hit areas of Florida, West Virginia, Texas, and the Carolinas

WASHINGTON – U.S. Housing and Urban Development (...