News

Stephens County is taking steps toward establishing a Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program, a move that could unlock long-term financing for energy and water efficiency upgrades across the region. 

At the commissioners court meeting Monday, Oct. 27, commissioners adopted a resolution of intent to establish the program and scheduled a public hearing during the next regular meeting at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 10. 
The public hearing will allow for residents and stakeholders to learn more about the PACE program and the county’s stance on it. 

The Stephens County-wide burn ban was lifted following recent rainfall and consultation with Breckenridge Fire Chief and county Fire Marshal Malcolm Bufkin. 
The burn ban was officially lifted Saturday, Oct. 25 and was effective immediately, but county officials urged residents to remain vigilant. 

“Have water and tools ready, watch the wind, never leave a fire unattended and comply with state laws and city rules,” County Judge Michael Roach said in a statement Saturday. “Thank you to our fire departments and first responders.”

Stephens County put together a plan for its citizens affected by an upcoming SNAP program suspension in order for those individuals and families to continue getting the food that they need.
 
The loss of SNAP benefits is due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, which will affect 550 households and over 1,000 individuals in the county beginning Saturday, Nov. 1. 

After a strong performance at the UIL Region 7 Marching Contest in Stephenville, The Pride of Breckenridge BHS Band has advanced to UIL Area competition in Denton. 

In the UIL Region contest held Saturday, Oct. 18, the BHS band received a Division 1 rating–a superior rating, which is the highest possible score, qualifying them for advancement to area competition. The rating is determined by a panel of judges who rank the bands based on their performance. 

In the heart of Breckenridge, where Friday night lights shine bright and small-town bonds run deep, a quiet yet powerful movement is underway inside the halls and campuses of Breckenridge ISD: breaking the stigma around mental health. 

From classroom counseling to creative expression, BISD educators are working to ensure students and their parents know they are never alone and that help is always within reach. 

Despite recent weekend storms, Stephens County remains under severe drought conditions, with emergency-level readings on the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) showing no signs of relief. 

Over the last week or so, the county’s readings on the KBDI averaged around 640, although it did decrease from 647 on Saturday, Oct. 18 to 644 on Sunday. It increased back up to 646 Monday, Oct. 20.

County officials are urging residents to exercise extreme caution, especially in the coming days, as low humidity and elevated winds are expected to increase the risk of wildfires. 

Stephens County 4-H came away with some success from the State Fair of Texas, with two teams and one individual participating in competitions. 

Both the junior and senior plant identification teams had good performances at the plant ID contest Saturday, Sept. 27.

The junior plant identification team of Evelyn Halari, Lydia Moreno and Marielle Green was named the champion junior team. Individually, Halari placed first overall, Moreno placed third and Green placed fourth.
 

The Breckenridge City Commission has approved a pair of items concerning the Breckenridge Fire Department’s current location and a potential future new fire station. 

During their meeting Tuesday, Oct. 14, the commission conducted three public hearings regarding matters of the city’s code of ordinances. The most substantial matter was the approval of replating the property where the Breckenridge Fire Department currently resides.

The Breckenridge ISD track behind South Elementary is set to get a makeover before the upcoming spring track season.

The BISD Board of Trustees approved awarding the construction bid for a resurface project to Tarkett Sports Construction of Burleson at its Monday, Oct. 13 meeting. This was per the recommendation of Athletic Director Casey Pearce, deciding between two bids the school board received.

The other bid that came in was from Gary Carter of G. Carter Construction of Austin.