Local archive
Education
Pamela Jean Carey, a Brownwood native remembered for her love of family, gardening, music and ranching, died Sept. 22, 2026, at age 75. Her family will hold a private memorial service at a later date.
Education
Pamela Jean Carey, 75, who was born and attended school in Brownwood, died Sept. 22, 2026. Her family will hold a private memorial service at a later date.
Education
Howard Payne University has added eight faculty members for the 2026-27 academic year, bringing new and returning educators to programs in business, biology, management, chemistry, English, nursing, marketing and music in Brownwood.
Education
Businesses from Brown County and beyond can register at no cost to host booths for Pathways to Success, a Nov. 3 event connecting high school juniors and seniors with employers and career opportunities.
Education Woodland Heights
The Brownwood ISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously to cancel the Nov. 3, 2026, election after four candidates filed without opposition. The meeting also highlighted academic gains at Northwest Elementary, staff recognitions and district enrollment of 3,207 students.
Education
Brownwood High School recognized eight students as its August 2026 Students of the Month, with two honorees selected from each grade level.
Education
Brownwood High School has recognized teacher Laura Goodman and staff member Jimmy Ward as its Teacher and Staff Member of the Month, with each honor accompanied by a $200 check sponsored by TexasBank and Demand Staff, Inc.
Education
Betty Storm Alvey, a 1974 Brownwood High School graduate and longtime choral music teacher, died Sept. 12, 2026, at her home in Grapevine after a battle with breast cancer. She was 70.
Education Woodland Heights
Brownwood ISD trustees unanimously canceled the Nov. 3 election for four seats after three incumbents ran unopposed and Keith Howey became the only candidate for Place 1. The board also reviewed enrollment, attendance, state funding risks, teacher incentive designations and Northwest Elementary’s improved accountability rating.
Education Coggin
Brownwood ISD has recognized Elisabeth Johnson, a special education teacher at Coggin Elementary, and Abby Flores, a custodian at Brownwood Middle School, as its September spotlight employees.
Education Woodland Heights
Woodland Heights Elementary students, staff and veterans gathered Friday morning to dedicate a new flag pole and American and Texas flags donated by three veterans organizations.
Education
Brownwood High School’s production of The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood uses comedy, fourth-wall breaks, flashbacks, vivid technical work and an energetic cast to turn the familiar story into a lighthearted stage adventure. The show continues with performances Saturday and Sunday.
Education CC Woodson Road
Jacky “Jack” Clyde Platter, 65, of Brownwood died at home on Sept. 6, 2026. Family and friends will gather for a come-and-go Celebration of Life on Sept. 12 at Victory Life Church Annex Building.
Education
The Brown County Water Improvement District has hired and sworn in three new Lake Patrolmen, bringing the Lake Brownwood Lake Patrol to full staffing after six months of law-enforcement training. The district also promoted Patrolman Craig Kinsey to lieutenant as lake levels stood at 85.1% of capacity.
Education
Jimmy Doyle Wiley, 49, who later made Brownwood his home, is survived by his children, grandchildren, mother and two brothers. A celebration of life will be held at a later date, with arrangements entrusted to Brownwood Funeral Home.
Education
Republican nominee Nate Sheets and Democratic nominee Clayton Tucker are campaigning on food quality, rural economies and the future of Texas agriculture, but they sharply differ on issues including New World Screwworm, data centers and agricultural regulation.
Education
A weekly congressional update says fires in Brown County were extinguished earlier this week while highlighting new education opportunities, disaster assistance and federal resources available to residents of Texas’s 11th District.
Education
Howard Payne University will welcome alumni, families, prospective students and current students to Brownwood for Homecoming weekend Oct. 2-3, 2026. Registration is open for events including a parade, family picnic, reunions, a musical production and the Yellow Jackets’ football game against Nelson University.
Education
Caleb Gamblin, an agricultural sciences teacher at Bangs High School, is one of six finalists for the 2027 Texas Teacher of the Year award. The Bangs ISD educator is recognized for hands-on instruction and coaching student teams, including four state champion agricultural mechanics teams.
Education
Ray Reed, a Howard Payne graduate and longtime educator, reflects on family, loss and the extraordinary life he shared with his wife, Barbara, and their Yellow-collared Macaw, Pogo.
Education
Five Howard Payne University students returned from a month in Seville, Spain, with new Spanish-language skills, academic credit and a broader understanding of the region’s culture and history. HPU’s Spain Summer Immersion Program will return in summer 2028.
Education
A weekly update from U.S. Rep. August Pfluger highlights upcoming federal opportunities and assistance for residents of Texas’s 11th Congressional District, including the Congressional App Challenge, White House volunteer applications, a San Angelo Service Academy Night and agricultural guidance related to New World screwworm.
Education Downtown Brownwood
Brownwood ISD improved its Texas Education Agency score from 78 to 83, earning a B rating, while leaders from 12 Brown County schools and colleges outlined enrollment, financial and academic developments at the annual Education in Brown County Luncheon.
Education Coggin
Brownwood Middle School students Madelyn Jacobson and Charlotte Myers participated in Education in Action’s 2026 Lone Star Leadership Academy after receiving educator nominations for leadership potential, academic achievement and community involvement.
Education
Lesli A. Tucker is joining the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, while Dagan G. Whisenhunt and Daniel B. Shope are beginning law enforcement careers with the Brownwood Police Department after graduating from Central Texas College’s Police Academy Alpha Class.
Education
The Brownwood Area Chamber and Early Chamber of Commerce will host the Education in Brown County Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21, at the Early Visitors & Events Center, with speakers representing area schools and colleges.
Education Coggin
Coggin Elementary sixth-grade students are scheduled to explore the Bill of Rights and modern public service during a Constitution Week event on September 17 in Brownwood.
Education Woodland Heights
Brownwood ISD earned an overall B rating of 83 from the Texas Education Agency, up from a C rating of 78 the previous year. Brownwood High School rose 11 points to an 89, while East Elementary earned an A.
Education
Several Howard Payne University offices in Brownwood will open from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 15, to assist students ahead of the fall 2026 semester. Classes begin Monday, Aug. 17.
Education
Brown County Commissioners Court approved Anna Davenport’s hiring as the county’s next Texas A&M AgriLife Extension agent. Davenport, who has taught at a Tennessee college and has an agriculture and 4-H background, is expected to begin Sept. 1, 2026.
