News

Community members can expect possible delays on portions of U.S. 180 for the next several months. Work began last week on a pair of projects on portions of the road with lane closures expected.

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) said the project that will impact traffic the most is a mill and overlay project west of downtown Breckenridge. This project, which was originally scheduled to begin last March, was rescheduled to begin Thursday, May 9 after weather-related delays.

As Breckenridge City Commissioners continue updating the city’s Comprehensive Development Plan, a parks and recreation road map has been developed for the next 16 years.

After receiving a $55,000 planning grant the city has worked to update its development plan. City Manager Cynthia Northrop said during a Breckenridge City Commission Meeting held Tuesday, May 7, that the development plan has not been updated since the 1960s.

Change is on the way in Breckenridge ISD. Superintendent Bryan Allen is possibly on his way out after being named as the lone finalist for the same position at Clyde ISD.

Allen said he has not yet officially resigned from BISD, a position he has officially held since May 1, 2020. He said CISD named him as the finalist Wednesday, April 24. There is a 21-day window before the district can offer Allen a contract. That window closes Wednesday, May 15.

Since 1949, the United States has recognized May as Mental Health Awareness Month.

This year one Breckenridge community member is looking to spread awareness with a community event this weekend.

Organizer Julie McNett hopes to “break the stigma” in Breckenridge with the Mind Matters event featuring speakers Will Thompson and Yuri Huntington at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 11 at at First Methodist Church’s Christian Life Center.

Community members will have another opportunity this month to voice their opinions on the La Casa Wind, LLC wind farm project in Stephens County.

The Stephens County Commissioners Court will host a public hearing at 9 a.m. Monday, May 13 regarding proposed abatement amendments at the Stephens County Courthouse.

According to Stephens County Judge Michael Roach, one purpose of the amendments is to speed up the construction process.

La Casa submitted a proposed amendment to officially begin improvements by Saturday, June 1, along with other changes.

Newly hired Breckenridge Police Chief Blake Johnson has taken his role atop the Breckenridge Police Department.

After officially beginning his role late last month, the city introduced Johnson to the community with an open house last week.

Johnson replace former chief Bacel Cantrell, who resigned in December last year.

He said one thing that stood out about the city of Breckenridge and BPD is they were looking to hire someone from the outside who could bring in new ideas to the department.

The Breckenridge City Commission will see a change following the May election.

Place 2 will see a return from challenger Greg Akers, who defeated incumbent Rob Durham for the seat.
Akers, who has served on the commission before, abruptly resigned the Place 1 position following a “disagreement” during an August 2022 meeting.

Akers and Durham ran a tightly-contested race, with Akers coming out ahead with 99 votes, while Durham received 91 total votes.

The Texas Department of Transportation is warning drivers of upcoming repair work on the US 180 bridge across Hubbard Creek Reservoir, also known locally as the “Mile Long Bridge.” The department does not expect traffic delays as a result of the work.

Repair work on the bridge will begin this week on the underside of the bridge, below traffic. According to a release from TxDOT, the repair work is expected to take approximately one month, weather permitting.
TxDOT advises motorists to drive with caution and watch for crews and equipment entering and exiting the work area.

Another dining option is on the way to downtown Breckenridge. A popular area chef plans to open her third restaurant, this time in the former Bealls building on Walker Street. The restaurant is expected to open this fall.

Breckenridge Economic Development Corporation Executive Director David Miller said the contract has been signed and the keys have been handed over to turn the old Bealls building into a restaurant.

Breckenridge High School has experienced success all across the state of Texas. The latest example took place Friday, April 12 at the state FCCLA competition.

Freshman Isabelle Biddison, a Family and Consumer Science student at BHS, took part in the Cupcake Presentation competition. Ahead of the competition, Biddison had to come up with a theme and recipe that fit within the guidelines and represented by her theme.