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The first deliveries for the new playground a the Breckenridge City Park began arriving last week. Contributed photo/City of Breckenridge

Playground construction begins at Breckenridge City Park

Construction is officially underway at the Breckenridge City Park of the new playground equipment ordered last year.
The equipment was purchased from Playground Solutions of Texas through the Texas BuyBoard purchasing cooperative. Work began last week as PST removed the 32-year-old playground equipment that was previously in place.

The Breckenridge City Commission previously approved the purchase Sept. 5, 2023.

The bi-annual cemetery clean-up at Breckenridge Cemetery will begin Monday, Feb. 5. The event helps the cemetery to prepare for grass and flower season. Photo/Kaci Funderburg

Cemetery cleanup to take place next week

The bi-annual cemetery cleanup at Breckenridge Cemetery will begin Monday, Feb. 12. The first of two cleanups will take place next week to prepare for the grass and flower season.

The city of Breckenridge sent a release dated Jan. 31 to remind community members of cemetery rules involving graveside decor.

Rule 18
No gravel, stone, brick, cement or artificial walks will be allowed on lots. No boxes, shells, toys, glassware, trinkets or similar items. Sleeves vases must be attached to the base of an upright monument to be allowed.

Michael Jacob “Lucky” Aldridge, who had been on the run since Wednesday, Jan. 3 was arrested last week in Oklahoma. He was extradited to Stephens County and expected to return Monday, Feb. 5. Contributed photo/SCSO

Aldridge captured in Oklahoma

The driver who led authorities on a high-speed chase through Stephens County has been captured.
Stephens County Sheriff Kevin Roach confirmed Michael Jacob “Lucky” Aldridge was captured last week by the U.S. Marshals Service and was in the process of extradition Monday, Feb. 5 to Stephens County.

Aldridge is wanted in Stephens County with felony warrants for aggravated assault against a public servant and evading arrest detention with a vehicle with previous convictions.

MacKenzie Cloud, in her third year of competition, made a catch at this year’s Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo calf scramble to earn money towards next year’s show and eligibility for college scholarships. Contributed photo/FWSSR

Cloud competes at FWSSR calf scramble

Breckenridge FFA was well-represented Friday, Jan. 26 at the Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.
MacKenzie Cloud, in her third year of competition, made a catch at this year’s calf scramble to earn money towards next year’s show and eligibility for college scholarships.

Cloud earned a $500 purchase certificate for a show heifer and the chance for up to $16,000 in scholarship awards. Cloud’s parents are Heather and Jeff Mathiews.

Heather said Cloud plans to attend Texas Tech University. Following college, Cloud wants to return to Breckenridge to work as a veterinarian.

Gary Borders is a veteran award-winning Texas journalist. He published a number of community newspapers in Texas during a 30-year span, including in Longview, Fort Stockton, Nacogdoches, Lufkin and Cedar Park. Email: gborders@texaspress.com.

Capital Highlights

Standoff at border continues between state, feds

A standoff at an Eagle Pass park continues as the Department of Homeland Security has sent a second letter to Gov. Greg Abbott demanding access to the Rio Grande park that is now under state control.

A pot hole filled with water on Hullum Street in Breckenridge. The road is one of many slated to receive repairs in the upcoming year. Photo/Mike Williams

City gives road improvement update

The city of Breckenridge hosted an open house Tuesday, Jan. 23 where several departments within the city were on hand to give updates on projects the city has planned for 2024.

One of the major updates available at the open house was an update from the streets department regarding the 10-year road improvement plan which began last year.

The plan, which was split into three phases began with paving improvements in the fall of 2023, paid for by certificates of obligations approved by the city during the summer.

Stephens County Commissioner David Fambro explains how a possible consumption tax would benefit property owners in Stephens County. Photo/Mike Williams

County proposes sales tax

The Stephens County Commissioners Court began discussions Monday, Jan. 22 to consider issuing a sales tax for the areas of Stephens County outside of the Breckenridge city limits.

The conversation of the sales tax, known legally as a consumption tax, was brought to the court by Precinct 1 Commissioner David Fambro.

Carlos Xavier Acosta, 24, of Breckenridge, pleaded guilty last week to three felony charges in the 90th Judicial District Court. Contributed Photo

Acosta enters guilty pleas

Carlos Xavier Acosta, 24, of Breckenridge pleaded guilty to three felony charges Thursday, Jan. 25 in the 90th District Judicial Court. The charges come from an aggravated robbery and burglary of the building in September 2023.
Acosta was sentenced to deferred adjudication for each of the three charges.

For the charge of burglary of a building, Acosta was sentenced to five y ears deferred adjudication community supervision and ordered to pay $290 in court costs and $35 in reimbursement fees.

Breckenridge ISD Superintendent Bryan Allen honored the district’s board of trustees Tuesday, Jan. 23 as part of School Board Appreciation Month. Photo/Mike Williams

BISD Board of Trustees honored

January is recognized in Texas as School Board Recognition Month.

Breckenridge ISD Superintendent Bryan Allen took time during the board’s meeting Tuesday, Jan. 23 to recognize the seven members of the BISD Board of Trustees as part of School Board Recognition Month celebrations.

Board members serving BISD are: Board President Nic McClymond, Board Vice-President Graham Reaugh, Board Secretary Carrol Kanady, and Trustees Paul Lippe, Jimmy McKay, Roy Russell, and Chad Townson.

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