News

The city of Breckenridge has appointed Taylor Hardy as its new Public Works Director, filling a leadership vacancy that has persisted since the unexpected resignation of the previous director just two months into the job.

Hardy, who has served as Public Services Director for the past six months, officially assumed the new role Monday, Jan. 12. City Manager Cynthia Northrop announced the promotion during the city commission meeting Tuesday, Jan. 6, describing Hardy as a steady, capable leader who has already earned the confidence of staff across multiple departments.

The Breckenridge Buckaroo cheerleading team is gearing up for one of the biggest stages of its season as the squad prepares to compete at the UIL Spirit State Championships this week.

The team offered fans a preview of its competition routine during halftime of the boys’ basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 6, performing the full sequence they will take to state. The showcase featured the group’s synchronized chants, sharp motions and stunt sequences that have been the focus of months of practice.

The barns at the Stephens County Ag Center will come alive later this week as local 4-H and FFA members prepare to exhibit months of hard work during the 68th annual Stephens County Junior Livestock Show and Sale. 

The show will be held Thursday, Jan. 8 through Sunday, Jan. 11 at the Stephens County Ag Barn at 145 County Road 245. Animal validations and entry dates have been held from June through December. 

Five young athletes from Breckenridge have earned the chance to compete at the district level Elks Hoop Shoot after advancing from the local contest held at the Breckenridge ISD Athletic and Fine Arts Center.

The event organized by Breckenridge Elks Lodge No. 1480 was held Sunday, Jan. 4. The annual free throw competition is open to boys and girls ages 8 to 13, with participants grouped into the 8-9, 10-11 and 12-13 divisions.

The Breckenridge National Theatre fell silent as dozens gathered for a community screening of “Suicide: The Ripple Effect,” a documentary following suicide-attempt survivor and mental-health advocate Kevin Hines.

Even before the screening began Saturday evening, Jan. 3, the tone was set by Savanna Morales-Stoker, whose opening remarks framed the night around compassion, honesty and community responsibility.

Breckenridge residents will have an opportunity to give back in a meaningful way this week as Carter BloodCare brings its mobile donation bus to town for the first blood drive of the new year.

The drive will run from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7 at Breckenridge Medical Center, 101 S. Hartford St.

The event comes during National Blood Donor Month, a time when blood supplies traditionally dip due to winter ilnesses, holidays and reduced turnout. Carter BloodCare says local donations help ensure hospitals across the region have the supply they need.

The city of Breckenridge is once again inviting residents to step inside the workings of local government through its second annual Citizens Academy – a nine-month journey into the departments, partnerships and people who keep the city running. 

Starting Monday, Jan. 12, the academy will meet every second Monday evening through September 14, offering participants a behind-the-scenes look at municipal operations. 

Junior Buckaroo Academy marked a major milestone this month, celebrating 10 years of serving Breckenridge families and helping shape the earliest chapters of childhood for hundreds of local children. What began as a small, community-driven effort has grown into a trusted cornerstone of early education in Stephens County.

The center officially celebrated its anniversary Monday, Dec. 1. Director Carrie Pierce, who has worked in childcare since 1995, said the academy’s growth over the past decade has been steady and intentional.

Breckenridge FFA members were celebrated earlier this month at the Pecan Valley District Banquet, where students from across the region gathered to recognize a year of leadership, competition and hands-on learning. For the Buckaroos, the evening marked a proud moment as several students earned top honors and chapter-wide recognition.

Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock announced another month of rising sales tax revenue for local governments for December, with the city of Breckenridge continuing its steady year-over-year growth as 2025 winds down.

Breckenridge will receive $198,774.01 in its December sales tax allocation, up from $186,724.15 in December 2025–a 6.45% increase. The month’s gain keeps the city on pace for a solid year, with year-to-date payments reaching $2,386,601.36, about 4.81% ahead of last year’s total through the same period.