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Potential Breckenridge Police Chief Blake Johnson speaks to the Breckenridge City Commission during its April 2 meeting. Johnson’s hiring is pending the completion of a background check. Photo/Mike Williams

City chooses new Chief

Breckenridge Police Department will soon have its new chief pending a background check.

Breckenridge City Manager Cynthia Northrop announced Tuesday, April 2 that the city was nearly complete in hiring Blake Johnson as the new chief of police for BPD.

The city commission had previously voted to allow Northrop to negotiate a contract with Johnson during a special-called meeting March 26.

Stephens Memorial Hospital CEO Brian Roland speaks to the board during the March 28 meeting. Photo/Mike Williams

SMH discusses parking, building demolition

After holding a ribbon-cutting on the specialty clinic renovation, Stephens Memorial Hospital has set its sights on a new project for the hospital campus. SMH CEO Brian Roland says the hospital is facing parking shortages as the hospital has been able to increase staffing.

Roland briefly discussed the issue last month during the hospital’s board of directors meeting March 28. During the meeting, Roland said he has a spot in mind for a larger hospital parking lot.

The Commemorative Air Force’s Tora Tora Tora show will be performed at the Breckenridge Airshow, set for Memorial Day weekend. Contributed photo

Breckenridge Airshow to return in May

The airshow is returning to the skies of Breckenridge with a two-day event taking place Memorial Day weekend.

Tickets are on sale and volunteer opportunities are available for the 2024 Breckenridge Airshow taking place May 25-26 at the Stephens County Airport.

The airshow, returning after a six-year absence, will be headlined by a performance of the Commemorative Air Force’s Tora Tora Tora show.

Parking lots open at 7:30 a.m. both days of the event with gates opening to the general public at 9 a.m. Performances will run from noon to 4 p.m. both days.

Foundation Park recently underwent improvements with funding from certificates of obligation approved last year by the Breckenridge City Commission. Friday it will be where Kyle Fambro and Jared McLane perform as part of the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce's Spring Fling event. File photo

Spring Fling takes place downtown this weekend

The Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce is inviting the public out to enjoy the spring weather and downtown Breckenridge.

This year’s Spring Fling takes place Friday, April 5 beginning at 3 p.m. and goes on until 9 p.m. Spring Fling provides an opportunity for the community to visit local businesses in downtown Breckenridge and get an in-person look at the newly improved Foundation Park.

Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Yuri Huntington said she’s excited for this year’s event and the number of businesses included.

The Boomtown Bonanza Carnival will take place April 18-21 in the open field next to 3720 W. Walker Street. Photo/Mike Williams

Community works together to bring carnival

After several weeks of work and several days of worry, the Breckenridge Chamber of Commerce is bringing a carnival to Breckenridge.

The Boomtown Bonanza Carnival will take place April 18-21 in the open field next to 3720 W. Walker Street. Operating hours will be from 5-10 p.m. Tickets will cost $1 with most rides requiring three to four tickets. Wristbands for unlimited rides will be available for $30.

Pride of Texas Shows will bring an 18-ride carnival including games and concessions.

A resident’s house was “flushed” as part of a fundraiser for the Breckenridge High School One Act Play. Contributed photo/BHS Theater

BHS OAP to hold public performance, fundraiser

The Breckenridge High School One Act Play performance group will host a final performance of its competition show, Mrs. Packard, this weekend at Bailey Auditorium.

The public performance will be the show the team performed for the 2024 contest season. It is also held in conjunction with this year’s OAP fundraiser “Flushed Away.”

The OAP team will host a public performance of Mrs. Packard Sunday, April 7 at Bailey Auditorium. The free performance will begin at 3 p.m. Although the performance is free, OAP Director Cassie Johnson said donations would be appreciated.

Blue dots represent approved locations for a proposed wind farm in Stephens County. The project from La Casa Wind, LLC, was approved for a tax abatement following a public hearing March 11. Contributed photo/Stephens County

Approved wind farm turbine locations released

The approximate turbine locations for a proposed wind farm in Stephens County were recently released by La Casa Wind, LLC.

The project encompasses an area south of Caddo along FM 717 and FM 207 in southwest Stephens County.

The map shows 59 approved turbine locations located along FM 717, south of Hwy. 180 and mostly east of FM 717. Seven approved locations are just west of FM 717. There are 31 approved locations north of FM 207 with the remaining 28 locations located south of FM 207.

The deadline to register to vote in the May election is next week. With one locally contested election in May, the deadline to register to vote is Thursday, April 4.

Voting registration deadline next week

The deadline to register to vote in the May election is next week. With one locally contested election in May, the deadline to register to vote is Thursday, April 4.

The first day to apply for a ballot by mail for the election taking place is Saturday, May 4.

The Breckenridge City Commission has two contested elections, with Place 1 and Place 2 both having multiple filings.
Blake Hamilton, the incumbent for Place 1 will face challenger Tony Patterson.

Breckenridge Independent School District Superintendent Bryan Allen (pictured in a previous meeting) described next year's school calender during the district's board of trustees meeting Monday, March 18. File photo

BISD approves calendar for 2024-2025 school year

Breckenridge ISD will continue with a four-day school week next year.

The announcement was made Monday, March 18 when the district approved the calendar for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year.

The 2024-2025 school year will begin Wednesday, Aug. 7 with staff returning to campus Tuesday, July 30.
New employee orientation will take place July 34-25 and July 29. Graduation for the Class of 2025 will take place May 23, 2025.

Thanksgiving Break will be Nov. 25-29. Christmas Break is scheduled for Dec.20-Jan. 3 and Spring Break will take place March 10-14.

Stephens Memorial Hospital will host a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday, March 22 for its new specialty clinic. Contributed photo

SMH opens new specialty clinic

Stephens Memorial Hospital is inviting the community this week to visit the new specialty clinic at the hospital. The clinic modernizes what was an aging facility on the hospital’s campus.

A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place Friday, March 22 at 11 a.m. and will give the public an opportunity to visit the remodeled facility.

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