2020 July-December Year Review

July 1st 2020:

Breckenridge American celebrates 100 year Anniversary

Stephens County approves purchase to improve election security

Stephens County commissioners approved the purchase quote submitted for the election systems and software and will update the county’s election security for the upcoming Presidential election. The new software will include a precinct scanner and expressvote ballot marking device. The commissioners decided during the Monday, June 22 meeting at the Stephens County Courthouse.

July 8, 2020

Rotary Club makes history with first Hispanic female President

The Rotary Club of Breckenridge introduced Yuri Huntington as the new President of the club, making her the first Hispanic female President in the club’s history.

July 15, 2020

WCWD celebrates Prater for years of civic leadership

The West Central Texas Municipal Water District honored Paul Prater for his 28 years of dedication, selflessness, and uncommon service to the water district and the various communities the district serves.

July 22, 2020

Stephens County elects Fambro County Commissioner

Stephens County voters elected a new county commissioner and received the outcome of various other races. Texas residents elected the candidates for Texas House District 60 and Democratic candidates for the U.S. Senate and Texas Railroad Commission during the July primary election.

July 29, 2020

BISD reaches agreement with Tarleton State for Distinguished High School partnership

Breckenridge Independent School District announced a memorandum of understanding with Tarleton State regarding the automatic acceptance of students graduating within the top 25% of their respective classes from BISD.

August 5,2020

SCLEC Detention officer, inmate test positive for COVID-19

The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the positive testing of a detention officer and inmate at the Stephens County Law Enforcement Center on Friday, July 31.

August 12, 2020

SCSO confirms four additional COVID-19 cases among inmates

The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed four additional positive cases of the COVID-19 virus, according to a press release from the SCSO.

August 19, 2020

Walker-Sayle on lockdown due to COVID-19 cases

The Walker-Sayle prison unit is currently on lockdown after a large number of inmates tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. August 26, 2020

BPD unravels Bayer burglary; locates stolen truck

The Breckenridge Police Department has located three individuals in connection with the burglary of the Bayer-Chevrolet and Buick auto-building.

September 2, 2020

BISD announces first positive COVID-19 case

The Breckenridge Independent School District announced a Breckenridge High School student has tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.

September 9, 2020

City increases the tax rate by 4.89%; approves search committee for interim city manager

The City of Breckenridge approved the budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year and includes a 4.89% tax increase for the upcoming year. The new budget was adopted during the Tuesday, September 1 meeting inside the City Offices Chamber.

September 16,2020

County Attorney requests Attorney General’s decision on nepotism law for the upcoming election

A letter from the Office of Stephens County Attorney, Gary Trammel, was received by the Office of the Attorney General’s Opinions Committee, on Wednesday, September 9, for a ruling on the nepotism law in the upcoming general election.

September 30, 2020

County Attorney provides insight/reason for pending AG decision

With a decision from the Attorney General’s Opinions Committee imminent, the Breckenridge American has obtained insight and the reason behind the requested opinion from Stephens County Attorney, Gary Trammel.

October 7, 2020

Dixon to follow the Athenian Oath as interim city manager of Breckenridge

The City of Breckenridge announced Dixon as the newest interim city manager, and he comes to Breckenridge following a contract with Strategic Government Resources.

October 14, 2020

BISD terminates synchronous, asynchronous instruction

The Breckenridge Independent School District approved a resolution to end synchronous and asynchronous (remote learning) instruction for students.

October 21, 2020

Sloan Everett Memorial Bike Ride see large numbers

The Sloan Everett Memorial Bike Ride was held at the Breckenridge City Park on Saturday, Oct. 17, and featured a host of bike riders to the memorial event.

October 28, 2020

U.S. District Judge denies attempt to stop election grants Stephens County cleared to accept grant

United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Amos Mazzant, denied a request for a temporary restraining order from the Texas Voters Alliance, Donnie Wisenbaker, Alan Vera, Warren Johnson and Russell Hayter.

November 4, 2020

Stephens County confirms fifth death from COVID-19 Active case count decreases

Stephens County confirmed the death of a fifth individual from the COVID-19 virus. The additional death count occurred during the Thursday, October 29 daily update by Stephens Memorial Hospital.

Rotary donates $1,500 to SMH’s Senior meals program

The Rotary Club of Breckenridge provided a check of $1,500 to members of the Stephens Memorial Hospital District to aid the senior meals program.

November 11, 2020

BEDC: Manufacturing facility plans on reopening soon

The semi-annual report, submitted by Virgil Moore, Executive Director of the BEDC included April through September of 2020.

November 25, 2020

Chamber to host “Banquet in a Box” on December 4th

The Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce has made the difficult decision not to host the traditional annual banquet this year due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

December 2, 2020

North Star CASA visits Rotary

The Rotary Club of Breckenridge received a special visit from Rebecca Navarro, CASA Program Director of North Star CASA, and the new Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator, Stephanie Fade of Virginia’s/ Dr. Goodall’s House.

December 9, 2020

City approves canvassing of 2020 election results

The City of Breckenridge approved resolution 20-28, on Tuesday, December 1, a canvassing of the returns for the 2020 city election.