Breckenridge American

01/19/2025

4:30am Jan 19th -- It's cold out there! Here's a look at the current wind chills! If you plan on being outdoors this early Sunday morning, bundle up!

01/18/2025

🚨❄️PRESS RELEASE FROM STEPHENS COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
January 18, 2025

Due to the forecast by the National Weather Service, Stephens County Emergency Management will be opening a Warming Station at the Stephens County Law Enforcement Center located at 210 East Dyer Street in Breckenridge.

Multiple days of frigid weather are expected following a Saturday arctic front and expected wind chills may be in the single digits and teens.

The Warming Center will be available and remain open to the public until Friday morning.

Additional facilities may be activated based upon citizen demand and changing weather situations.

The Office of Emergency Management is working in conjunction with the county Sheriff’s Department and the Stephens County Judge.

Emergency Management is monitoring the weather and is providing a Daily Forecast to stakeholders in the area.

01/18/2025

Snow chances still look to be on the low side, with better chances for accumulating snow as you move south into Central Texas. Most likely amounts will range anywhere from a dusting to around 1 to 2 inches along our southern counties. Impacts will remain low.

01/17/2025

🚨Public Notice to Boil Water🚨

January 17, 2025

For Stephens Regional Special Utility District customers located on Highway 183 South, beginning at the CR 151 intersection, extending south. Includes all adjacent county roads, FM 1032, and the first 2.75 miles of FM 576 East.

Due to a loss of pressure caused by a line break on January 17, 2025 the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has required our water system, PWS 2150007, Stephens Regional Special Utility District, to notify customers of the need to boil their water prior to consumption (e.g., washing hands/face, brushing teeth, drinking, etc.). Children, seniors, and persons with weakened immune systems are particularly vulnerable to harmful bacteria, and all customers should follow these directions.

To ensure destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking and making ice should be boiled and cooled prior to use. The water should be brought to a vigorous, rolling boil and then boiled for two minutes.

In lieu of boiling, you may purchase bottled water or obtain water from some other suitable source for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

Once the boil water notice is no longer in effect, the public water system officials will notify customers that the water is safe for drinking water or human consumption purposes.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.

Instructions to discontinue boiling will be issued in the same manner as this notice.

If you have any questions concerning this matter you may contact, the District’s office at 254-559-6180 during business hours or Kelvin Nickell, Water Treatment Plant Operator at 254-488-2333.

01/15/2025

Happy Birthday to our City Manager, Cynthia Northrop! 🎉🎁🎊

01/15/2025

01/09/2025

Road conditions can be monitored at drivetexas.org.

As the state prepares for winter weather, DPS reminds Texans to stay vigilant, exercise caution and remain prepared as winter weather can be unpredictable. Monitor local weather forecasts and keep your eye on road conditions if you need to travel in inclement weather.

Below are winter weather road safety tips for drivers:

❄️ Avoid traveling when sleet, freezing rain or snow is predicted.
❄️ Monitor road conditions by visiting DriveTexas.org or calling (800) 452-9292.
❄️ If you must drive in inclement weather, allow extra time to reach your destination.
❄️ On icy roads, drive slowly and increase the distance between your vehicle and others, as you may need additional room to stop.
❄️ Do not use cruise control.
❄️ Be aware that ice accumulates on bridges and overpasses before drivers may see it on roads, so approach them more slowly in winter weather.
❄️ Watch for downed trees and power lines. If a stop light is out, treat the intersection as a four-way stop.

Find more winter weather safety tips at https://bit.ly/3PHyW8d.

01/09/2025

‼️Due to inclement weather, all non-emergency City offices will be closed today, January 9th.
According to the US National Weather Service Fort Worth Texas we can expect rain, sleet , and an accumulation of snow, with hazardous conditions expected to occur into the afternoon and evening.❄️☔️❄️☔️
We would like to encourage our residents to restrict unnecessary travel today and stay home if possible.
City of Breckenridge self-service options are available on our website. https://www.breckenridgetx.gov/
Pay Bill: https://3.municipal.cc/BreckenridgeTX/Webportal/
Report a problem: https://breckenridge.portal.iworq.net/portalhome/breckenridge

If you need immediate assistance with an issue please call our non-emergency line at 254-559-2211

Emergency crews will continue to monitor the situation throughout the day.

01/09/2025

⚠️❄️ A wintry mix of mostly sleet & rain will continue to overspread from the west this AM, increasing in coverage/intensity throughout the day. The highest impacts are still expected later this evening & tonight with travel & isolated power outages where the heaviest precip occurs.
NWS FW

01/09/2025

Important Announcement

The Stephens County Courthouse will delay its opening on January 9, 2025. Doors will open at 10:00 AM instead of the usual time.

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding. Thank you for your patience!

01/08/2025

❄️🚗 The attached graphics contain the latest thinking regarding the timing of the upcoming winter weather and associated travel impacts on Thursday.

NWS FW

01/08/2025

A WINTER STORM WARNING and WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY are in effect for North and Central Texas Thursday through early Friday. The Warning is for areas near and east of the DFW Metroplex, while the Watch is for western North Texas and northern Central Texas. Snowfall accumulations of 2 to 5 inches will be possible in the warning area, and isolated amounts up to 8 inches within more intense bands north & northeast of the DFW Metroplex . A mix of snow and sleet of up to 2 inches and ice of up to a tenth of an inch are expected in the Advisory.

01/06/2025

TxDOT crews treat roadways ahead of winter weather

Brownwood – With the possibility of winter weather forecast for later this week, TxDOT Brownwood District Crews have started pretreating roadways in the district. Motorists will see brine spraying trucks across the nine counties of the district—Brown, Coleman, Comanche, Eastland, Lampasas, McCulloch, Mills, San Saba, and Stephens.

I-20 and other major roadways will be pre-treated with a brine solution consisting of salt and water to help slow the process of ice and snow bonding with the pavement. The pretreatment process is a fast-moving mobile operation with minimal impacts to traffic. Drivers should allow a safe traveling distance (approximately 200 feet) between their vehicles and the mobile convoys distributing the pre-treatment materials.

Crews have readied equipment and materials and are monitoring forecasts and weather conditions to respond as needed, working to keep roadways open and safe for travel when possible. TxDOT works closely with the National Weather Service to have the best available information to prepare for winter storms and with local municipalities and law enforcement during these weather events.

Please remember these important tips, when traveling in wintry conditions:
• Follow weather forecasts and avoid unnecessary travel if conditions warrant
• Make sure your vehicle is ready for travel, check tires, fluids, wipers and be sure to have a
full tank of gas
• Pack blankets or extra clothing, water, and snacks in case you have car trouble or become
stranded
• Buckle every passenger, every trip
• Drive to conditions, do not use cruise control or lane assist
• Use caution when driving on elevated structures or shaded areas that typically freeze first
• Allow additional time to reach your destination
• Increase following distance between your vehicle and others
• Move over or slow down for emergency vehicles, TxDOT vehicles and tow trucks—give them room to work safely
• If stranded, call 911 to alert emergency services and remain in your vehicle

Road closures and other conditions are posted and updated as necessary at DriveTexas.org.
Motorists can also get statewide road conditions by calling 800-452-9292.

01/06/2025

🚨🌨️ The Stephens County LEC will be open as a warming center through Saturday, Jan. 11 for residents who are in need.

❄️ Snow will begin to fall Wednesday night and continue into Friday morning. Accumulating snowfall is expected across much of North Texas, with a wintry mix south of the I-20 corridor. Road conditions may remain treacherous into the upcoming weekend.

NWS FW