Local archive
Education
Brownwood High School recognized teacher Jennifer Simpson and staff member Marion Eoff as its October 2026 honorees, with each recognition including a $200 check sponsored by TexasBank and Demand Staff, Inc.
Crime & Public Safety
Jurors scheduled to report to the 35th Judicial District Court of Brown County on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, do not need to appear after the jury service was cancelled.
Education
Howard Payne University is highlighting its Spanish minor and Hispanic Studies courses as preparation for careers in health care, education, business, ministry, social work and criminal justice. Brownwood students and faculty say language skills and cultural understanding can help professionals build trust and serve Spanish-speaking communities more effectively.
Sport Cecil Holman Park
Brownwood City Council approved a local match and authorized an application for a federal disaster supplemental grant to replace the aging Camp Bowie Lift Station, a major sewer facility serving much of south Brownwood. The council also approved funding parameters for a proposed outdoor fitness court at Cecil Holman Park and extended the city’s depository agreement with Citizens National Bank.
Community
Joanna Acosta, Damon Davis, Billy Lawson, Coy Talley and Jill Ruder were recognized before the Brownwood City Council for service reflecting the city’s core values.
Education
Howard Payne University’s Department of Spanish and Hispanic Studies is highlighting its Spanish minor as preparation for work in health care, education, business, ministry, social work and criminal justice. Faculty, Brownwood health professionals and students say language ability and cultural understanding can improve communication with Spanish-speaking communities.
Sport
NFL referee Brad Rogers recently shared his football journey and the demands of officiating during a Brownwood Kiwanis Club appearance, including the travel challenges, family sacrifices and split-second decisions behind his career.
Community
Bangs City Council approved a donated dumpster for property rehabilitation projects, authorized a Christmas parade roadblock and discussed the future of the Brown County Humane Society during its Monday meeting.
Community Coggin
Early voting in Brown County reached 5,639 ballots after 734 were cast Monday, with voting continuing through Friday ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
Sport
Brownwood’s girls cross country team finished fourth at the Region I-4A meet in Lubbock, securing the final qualifying spot for the UIL Class 4A state championship on Nov. 6 in Round Rock.
Community
Marilyn Kay Turner, a 74-year-old Brady resident who previously lived in Brownwood, died October 16, 2026, in Brownwood. Private services will be held later.
Community
Richard “Rick” Zabel, a former 3M machine operator in Brownwood and Vietnam veteran who received a Purple Heart, died October 18, 2026, in Temple. He was 78. A graveside service is scheduled for October 31 at Eastlawn Memorial Park in Early.
Community
Patricia A. Olsen, 82, of Brownwood, Texas, died Saturday, October 24, 2026. Her services are pending and have been entrusted to Brownwood Funeral Home.
Community Coggin
Early voting for Brown County’s Nov. 3 general election enters its second week with 4,905 ballots cast, representing 18.7 percent of registered voters. Voting continues through Friday at the Brown County Elections Office, while countywide voting will allow registered voters to cast ballots at any open polling location on Election Day.
Sport
Brownwood and area teams have a full sports schedule from Oct. 26 through Oct. 31, including regional cross-country meets, volleyball playoffs, football games, college football and girls basketball scrimmages.
Community
Andrea Jo “Andi” Essary, 62, of Brownwood, died peacefully surrounded by family on Friday, October 23, 2026. A celebration of her life is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, October 28, at the Brownwood Evangelism Center.
Sport
The Brownwood Lions earned their first District 13-4A Division II victory Friday night, defeating Gatesville 38-7 at Gordon Wood Stadium after turning three interceptions into 17 points.
Community Coggin
Brown County reported 4,300 early voting ballots after 835 ballots were cast Friday, with early voting continuing through Oct. 30 ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.
Sport
The Class of 2026 inducted Jerry McCullough, Mitch Moore, Mitch Stovall, Adam Lancaster and Jeremy Alcorn during the Gordon Wood Hall of Champions ceremony at the Brownwood Event Center. The 2025 Brownwood Lady Lions track and field state championship team also received special recognition.
Traffic & Construction Pecan Bayou
TxDOT has started a four- to five-week maintenance project on the US 67 bridge at Pecan Bayou in Brownwood. Drivers should expect daytime and nighttime work, lane shifts, merging into one lane in each direction and minor delays.
Crime & Public Safety
Andrew Vidovich was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined $5,000 after changing his plea to guilty in an intoxication manslaughter case stemming from a 2024 motorcycle crash on F.M. 3021 near the Hideout Country Club that killed his wife, Marti Vidovich.
Community
Early, Winchell, Zephyr and Blanket volunteer fire departments will share $105,000 in Texas A&M Forest Service grants for protective equipment, fire and rescue gear, and training aids.
Culture Downtown Brownwood
Tickets are now on sale for the eighth annual Sipping Under the Stars, scheduled for Dec. 5 in Downtown Brownwood as part of the city’s Feels Like Christmas celebration.
Sport Fisk Avenue
With cattle prices strong and winter feed costs pressuring ranchers, pregnancy checking can help Brown County producers identify open cows, protect forage and make better herd decisions before winter.
Community Coggin
Early voting in Brown County has produced 3,465 ballots after four days, representing 13.2 percent of registered voters. Voting continues through Oct. 30 at the Brown County Elections Office before Election Day on Nov. 3.
Sport
The Brownwood Lady Lions volleyball team ended its 2026 season Thursday night at Warren Gym with a straight-sets loss to District 6-4A rival Stephenville. Brownwood finished 7-27 overall and 0-10 in district play.
Community Center Avenue
A Brownwood public hearing will consider requests involving carports at 204 Quail Run and 3510 1st Street, with the Zoning Board of Adjustment authorized to act afterward.
Education
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Brown County will host a free scholarship-planning workshop for students and families at Howard Payne University on Nov. 17, 2026, with attendees automatically entered into a scholarship drawing.
Community Fisk Avenue
Brown County 4-H families face October and November animal-validation and livestock-entry deadlines, while the 2026–2027 program introduces new participation recognition and the 2027 Brown County Youth Fair adopts revised eligibility, membership and fee requirements.
Sport Coggin
The Dream Team captured the 2026 Coggin sixth-grade girls and boys basketball championships, with the girls winning 10-9 and the boys taking a deciding game 19-18.
