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(File Photo) District Judge Phillip Gregory ruled in favor of the City of Breckenridge Thursday morning, Oct. 2, granting the city’s request for default judgement against sitting city commissioner Greg Akers.

District judge grants default judgement for city against Commissioner Akers

A default judgment was granted last week in the case between the city of Breckenridge and a sitting city commissioner.

The city of Breckenridge received a favorable ruling Thursday, Oct. 2 from 90th Judicial District Judge Phillip Gregory, granting the city’s request for a default judgment against Gregory Akers. The court ruled that the city is entitled to recover over $13,000 from Akers.

(Archive photo) The deadline for the City of Breckenridge public art contest has been extended until the end of October, giving local artists and BISD students more time to submit their artwork for consideration to beautify Breckenridge.

City extends deadline for art contest to end of October

The deadline to enter into the City of Breckenridge public art contest, open to local artists and students, has been extended through the end of October. 

Originally set to close Tuesday, Sept. 30, the contest will now accept entries through at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31, as announced by the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce. 

The initiative was launched by the city in partnership with the chamber, the Breckenridge Downtown Development Council, the Breckenridge Fine Arts Center and with consent of TxDOT. It aims to promote beautification and community pride. 

The SMH hospital board approved the city’s request to waive delinquent taxes for five properties that have been transferred to the city’s ownership at their Thursday, Sept. 25 meeting. The board also updated its contract approval policy at the meeting. (Photo/Alex Kielar)

SMH board approves city’s tax waiver request, updates contract approval policy

During its recent meeting, the Stephens Memorial Hospital Board of Directors reviewed a formal request from the City of Breckenridge to waive delinquent property taxes on five parcels now under city ownership. The properties, previously held by private owners, were transferred to the city to be demolished and put into future use.

Once sold or repurposed, the properties will return to the tax roll. The five properties are: 205 W. 3rd Street, 601 N. Harvey Street, 1305 W. 1st Street, 919 N. Breckenridge Avenue and 1005 E. Elm Street.

Each October since 2017, the community comes together in remembrance of Sloan Everett with the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce-hosted Sloan Everett Pure Country Pedal Memorial Bike Ride. (Archive photo)

Sloan Everett Memorial Bike Ride scheduled for Oct. 11

Each October, the community comes together in remembrance of Sloan Everett, who died in 2017 protecting his family’s cattle from an enormous wildfire in the Texas panhandle. In the fall following his death, the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce hosted the inaugural Sloan Everett Pure Country Pedal Memorial Bike Ride, and it has continued to grow each year since.

The City of Breckenridge has filed a lawsuit against Commissioner Greg Akers for a fence contract dispute that began before he was elected as a commissioner, regarding the creation of a dog park on city-owned property.

City asks court for default judgment against Akers

A long-awaited dog park in the City of Breckenridge has hit a legal and logistical roadblock, following a payment dispute between the city and a local contractor, who now serves as a city commissioner.

The project, originally proposed in late 2023, aimed to create a fenced-in space for dogs to play freely on city-owned land near Elliot and Gaddis Streets, between Robert and Dunnigan Avenues. But progress stalled after a disagreement over payment terms for the fence installation.

(Photo/Alex Kielar) A car drove in the Homecoming parade Wednesday, Sept. 17 showing support for the Breckenridge ISD bond that will be on the ballot for the November election.

Last day to register to vote Monday, Oct. 6

The November election is quickly approaching and Breckenridge residents will need to make sure that they are registered to vote in order to head to the polls. 

The last day to register to vote is Monday, Oct. 6 and residents will be able to vote for or against the Breckenridge Independent School District bond that will be on the ballot. If you are unsure if you are registered to vote or need to register, go to votetexas.gov. 

(Photo/Alex Kielar) Stephens County Commissioner’s Court adopted the fiscal year 2026 budget and tax rate at their latest meeting Monday, Sept. 22 after a public hearing in which there were no public commenters.

County commissioners adopt FY26 budget, tax rate

Stephens County Commissioners Court has adopted the county's fiscal year 2026 budget and the tax rate following a public hearing. 

The vote occurred during the commissioner’s court Monday, Sept. 22 meeting in which the commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the budget and tax rate at $0.66539 per $100 of valuation. 

“We’ve reached a budget that is in the black, which is important,” County Judge Michael Roach said.

(Photo/Thomas Wallner) The publishing date for the Breckenridge American will be moving to Saturday starting with the Saturday, Oct. 4 edition. With the change comes new advertising deadlines which will now be on Wednesdays each week.

American publishing date moving to Saturday

Change is coming to the Breckenridge American, with the publishing date moving from Wednesday to Saturday starting at the beginning of October.

The change will be in effect with the first edition on the new date Saturday, Oct. 4. With the new publishing date will be a change to the advertising deadlines which will be in effect Wednesday, Oct. 1.  

The new advertising deadline is 4 p.m. Wednesday for display boxed ads and classified liner ads. All public notices are due by 3 p.m. Wednesday for the Saturday edition.

(Photo/Alex Kielar) The Stephens County Commissioner Court will convene Monday morning for a regular meeting that includes a public hearing on the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026, followed by a record vote to adopt that budget and the proposed tax rate.

Commissioners Court to hold public hearing, vote on FY26 budget Monday

The Stephens County Commissioner Court will convene Monday morning for a regular meeting that includes a public hearing on the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2026, followed by a record vote to adopt that budget and the proposed tax rate. 

The hearing will take place at the Stephens County Courthouse at 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 22. The proposed budget reflects rising costs across several departments, with health insurance and employment expenses among the county’s most pressing challenges.
 

(Photo/Alex Kielar) Breckenridge Rotary Club members at a meeting earlier in the year in which Cynthia Norhrop was installed as the new president of the club. The Rotary Club will begin a new social hour for every fifth Tuesday of the month, starting Tuesday, Sept. 30.

Rotary Club launches new social hour to boost community connection

The Breckenridge Rotary Club is inviting residents to pull up a chair, share a laugh and discover what service above self really looks like. 

Beginning September 30, the club will host a social hour every fifth Tuesday of the month, offering a relaxed space for fellowship, unity and networking – what they’re calling “F.U.N.”

It is essentially a quarterly event as there are about four months a year that have a fifth Tuesday. 

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