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(Archive photo) The Breckenridge Fine Arts Center will be accepting entries in May for its 34th annual Juried Art Show which will be on display from Tuesday, July 21 through Saturday, Sept. 26.

BFAC 34th Juried Art Show accepting entries next month

The Breckenridge Fine Arts Center is preparing for its 34th annual Juried Art Show and has announced the upcoming dates for entries and more for the national juried art competition.

The show will be held at BFAC from Tuesday, July 21 through Saturday, Sept. 26, with entries accepted from Friday, May 15 through Sunday, June 14. 

The show is open to all artists 21 years of age or older who can submit original 2D and 3D art only. No photography, prints or computer generated artwork will be accepted.

(Archive photo) Stephens County Judge Michael Roach lifted the burn ban Monday, April 6 at the request of Breckenridge Fire Department Chief Malcolm Bufkin. The county cautioned the community about outdoor burning despite the ban being lifted.

Burn ban rescinded

Stephens County Judge Michael Roach lifted the burn ban this week with caution being advised for area residents looking to conduct outdoor burning.

The judge lifted the ban Monday, April 6 with the stipulation that those intending to conduct any outside burning contact the Breckenridge Fire Department at 254-559-6242 and provide the time and location of the burning activity.

A site map crossing Hwy. 67 of the land Texas Parks and Wildlife Department approved to acquire and use as a new Wildlife Management Area. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission voted last week to pursue the acquisition. (Contributed photo)

TPWD votes to acquire Stephens County land for Wildlife Management Area

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission will be acquiring 2,850 acres of land in Stephens County approximately 10 miles northeast of Breckenridge for a new Wildlife Management Area.

Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) are operated by the Wildlife Division of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

TPWD utilizes the sites for research on wildlife populations and habitat, conducts education and demonstration of resource management techniques and makes the sites available for public hunting, hiking, camping and other outdoor recreational activities.

Early voting is approaching this month with contested elections for the city of Breckenridge and Breckenridge ISD on the ballot in May. Early voting will be held from April 20-28 and election day will be Saturday, May 2. (Archive photo)

Early voting approaching for May election

In a little over two weeks, early voting will begin in Stephens County with contested elections for the city of Breckenridge and Breckenridge ISD.

Early voting in the election will be held from April 20-28 and election day will be Saturday, May 2. The last day to register to vote was Thursday, April 2 and the last day to apply for a ballot by mail is Monday, April 20.

To check your registration status, visit votetexas.gov, or contact the office of the Stephens County Clerk at 254-559-3700. 

Stephens County representatives meet to put together a plan for citizens impacted by a SNAP program suspension in November 2025 and provide for county families during that period. (Archive photo)

New state SNAP restrictions in effect

Statewide restrictions are now in place for those utilizing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) regarding the purchase of candy or sweetened beverages with their Lone Star Cards.

In the state of Texas, SNAP is supplied through a Lone Star Card that can be used similar to a credit card at any store that accepts SNAP. 

These funds cannot be used to purchase tobacco, alcohol or to pay for owed food bills or purchase of items that cannot be eaten or drank. SNAP benefits can be used to purchase food online.

Breckenridge High School One-Act Play students pose with their award after placing first in the Zone competition at the beginning of March. The OAP group advanced to the District 8-3A competition and the bi-district competition. (Contributed photo)

BHS OAP season closes at bi-district

Breckenridge High School One-Act Play closed out its season at the bi-district competition with their performance of “Irena’s Vow.”

Following a sendoff from their fellow Breckenridge ISD students, the OAP group took part in the competition Tuesday, March 31 at Graham Memorial Auditorium.

Following their performance, Pazley Funderburg was recognized as Tech Crew, Reyse Hash was named Honorable Mention All-Star Cast and Shaley Cone was named All-Star Cast.

A centennial celebration for the Stephens County Courthouse will be held Tuesday, April 14 at the courthouse. Alongside the historic recognition will be the unveiling of a plaque featuring the Col. William Barret Travis “Victory or Death” letter. (Archive photo)

Courthouse centennial celebration, plaque unveiling set for April

Stephens County is gearing up for two historic events to recognize 100 years of the 1926 courthouse and an unveiling of a plaque featuring the Col. William Barret Travis “Victory or Death” letter. 

The event will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 14 at the Stephens County Courthouse at 200 West Walker St. with support from Stephens County, the Sons of the Republic of Texas, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the Alamo Letter Society.

Stephens County Courthouse History

The Breckenridge ISD school board at a meeting held Monday, Feb, 9. The board met Tuesday, March 24 and gave the superintendent the authority to pursue a piece of land as a potential location for the new elementary school. (Archive photo)

BISD considering land purchase for elementary school

Breckenridge ISD will be considering purchasing a parcel of land north of Walmart as a potential location for the new elementary school campus.

The Breckenridge ISD Board of Trustees heard a presentation Tuesday, March 24 from Economic Development Director Michael Paris regarding a parcel of land off FM 3099 that is approximately 33.2 acres.

The city of Breckenridge is accepting community feedback through a survey regarding various areas of city operations. A city survey has been conducted annually since 2022, with the previous survey available in April 2025. (Archive photo)

City seeking community input

As an ongoing effort to seek input from city residents regarding the operations and future of the city of Breckenridge, a survey is being conducted to receive feedback through May.

The survey can be accessed at surveymonkey.com/r/MNCV3BD and is open through Friday, May 1. 

Since 2022, the city has conducted a survey of residents to receive input on how the city is performing, with the last survey available in April 2025.

(ARCHIVE PHOTO | THE GRAHAM LEADER) Stephens County residents have until Thursday, April 2 to register to vote in the upcoming May election with local contested races on the ballot.

Voter registration deadline soon for May election

Stephens County residents have until the beginning of April to register to vote in the upcoming May local election.

Early voting in the May election will run from April 20-28 and election day will be Saturday, May 2. The last day to register to vote in the May election will be Thursday, April 2 and the last day to apply for a ballot by mail will be Monday, April 20.

To register, a voter can complete a registration application and return it to the Stephens County Clerk at Stephens County Courthouse at 200 West Walker St.

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