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(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO) Visitors to the Breckenridge Fine Arts Center look over an exhibit in 2023. The BFAC annual Casino Night fundraiser will be held Saturday, March 7 supporting the efforts of the center to provide classes, exhibits and art programs.

Breckenridge Fine Arts Center hosting Casino Night fundraiser

Breckenridge Fine Arts Center is hosting its annual Casino Night event in support of the efforts of the facility to provide classes, exhibits and art programs for the area.

The event will be held at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, March 7 at 207 N. Breckenridge Ave. and feature casino-style games, food and beverages, raffles and auctions. Doors for the event will open at 5:30 p.m. and games will begin at 6 p.m.

(Photo/Alex Kielar) Stephens County Commissioners Court will hold a public hearing Monday, Feb. 23 at the Stephens County Annex Building to consider creating a reinvestment zone for the Crocus Solar Project.

Public hearing Monday on solar reinvestment zone

Stephens County will take the next formal step in reviewing the proposed Crocus Solar project this coming week.

Commissioners are scheduled to hold a public hearing to consider creating a reinvestment zone for the development.

The hearing is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. Monday, Feb. 23 at the Stephens County Annex Building, 222 N. Baylor Ave., and will include time for public comment before commissioners vote on the proposed designation. 

(Contributed Photo) Kinsley Kaylor was named Grand Champion in the Angus division of the Junior Heifer show during the San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo.

Local exhibitors shine at San Angelo Stock Show

Stephens County exhibitors turned in impressive performances at the San Angelo Stock show this month, earning top marks across several heifer and swine divisions.

The show once again showcased the hard work and preparation of local 4-H and FFA Members.

Stephens County 4-H had major successes in the Heifer show. Kinsley Kaylor was named Grand Champion in the Angus division of the Junior Heifer show. Another first place finish was Brooklynde Sage Parker, in the ORB division.

(Archive photo) Stephens County voters are in the final stretch of early voting for the 2026 Primary Election, with just a few days remaining before the deadline.

Early voting entering final week

Stephens County voters are in the final stretch of early voting for the 2026 Primary Election, with just a few days remaining before the deadline. 

Early voting continues this week through Friday, Feb. 27, ahead of Primary Election Day on Tuesday, March 3. This year’s primary includes a full slate of state and federal races, along with several county-level contests. 

Most local offices are uncontested, but three county positions feature competitive Republican primaries: county judge, constable and county commissioner for Precinct 4. 

(Photo/Alex Kielar) Stephens County Emergency Management Coordinator David Leonard briefed county commissioners at their Monday, Jan. 26 meeting on a TxDOT project designed to expand radio interoperability across the region at emergency scenes.

TxDOT radio project aims to fix long-standing communication gaps across county

Stephens County may soon see major improvements to its emergency communications network after Emergency Management Coordinator David Leonard briefed commissioners at their latest meeting on a Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) project designed to expand radio interoperability across the region. 

Leonard said TxDOT is working with counties to build a unified radio system that would allow law enforcement, fire departments, EMS and road crews to communicate seamlessly during emergencies – something Stephens County has struggled with for years. 

(Photo/Alex Kielar) This year’s 101st Coronation will feature the crowning of Lane Bartoskewitz as the 2025-26 Buckaroo Queen by Great Lord Chamberlain Christian Flores, who took part in the homecoming parade earlier this year.

101st Coronation set for next Saturday

Breckenridge ISD will continue one of its longest-standing traditions next weekend as Breckenridge High School hosts the 101st Coronation of the Buckaroo Queen.

The ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 31, at 7 p.m. in Bailey Auditorium, bringing students, families, alumni and community members together for a night that has defined Buckaroo culture for more than a century.

(Photo/Alex Kielar) The Breckenridge ISD Board of Trustees voted to extend Superintendent Prairie Freeman’s contract for three additional years at their Monday, Jan. 19 meeting, securing district leadership as major construction and academic continue.

BISD board tenders three-year contract extension to superintendent

The Breckenridge ISD Board of Trustees voted to extend Superintendent Prairie Freeman’s contract for three additional years, securing district leadership as major construction and academic continue.

The board approved the extension following a lengthy closed session at their board meeting Monday, Jan. 19, returning to open session to unanimously authorize a new contract running through the 2028-29 school year. No further discussion was had by the board before they took action on the contract.

(File Photo) A boating crash in a shallow channel of Hubbard Creek Reservoir left one man dead and another injured Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 14, according to local authorities.

One dead, one injured after boat flips on Hubbard Creek Reservoir

A boating crash in a shallow channel of Hubbard Creek Reservoir left one man dead and another injured, according to local authorities.

The crash happened Wednesday, Jan. 14 just before 4:30 p.m. in a narrow creek channel near Peeler’s Pier, a fishing and boat ramp area north of Highway 180 on the Stephens-Shackelford county line. Stephens County Game Warden Clifton Westbrook said the two men were traveling up the creek when their midsized boat struck something underwater and flipped.

(Photo/Alex Kielar) Cynthia Northrop outlines the water systems upgrades on the way for the city of Breckenridge and the funds up for approval by the commission Tuesday, Jan. 6.

City approves water-system improvement updates

The Breckenridge City Commission approved several major items tied to the city’s ongoing water‑system improvements, including the issuance of more than $1.7 million in Certificates of Obligation and acceptance of a $4 million state grant to support upcoming construction.

The approvals from the city commission came at their latest meeting Tuesday, Jan. 6.

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