Local archive
Sport
Brownwood-area athletes face a full schedule from Sept. 29 through Oct. 3, including Brownwood volleyball against Glen Rose, two cross-country invitations, tennis at Glen Rose and a Howard Payne home football game against Nelson.
Education
Howard Payne scored eight touchdowns, forced two fumbles and defeated Simpson College 52-28 Saturday at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco. The Yellow Jackets are listed at 4-0 in the source headline and standings, although the game account also says the team improved to 3-0. Howard Payne returns to Gordon Wood Stadium in Brownwood on Oct. 3 to face Nelson University.
Traffic & Construction
William Carl Gruben, 77, of Brownwood and Denver City, died September 24, 2026. His family will hold a memorial service September 29 at Lake Brownwood First Baptist Church, with lunch beforehand.
Community Fisk Avenue
Brown County 4-H members and families have several upcoming dates to track, including Oct. 24 sheep and goat validation, new enrollment steps, a participation-point program and major rule changes for the 2027 Brown County Youth Fair.
Sport
Brownwood ended a three-game losing streak with a 42-21 road win over China Spring, using five takeaways, 436 yards of offense and three fourth-quarter touchdowns to build momentum before opening District 13-4A Division II play against La Vega.
Sport
Brownwood volleyball fell to Graham in straight sets Friday, leaving the Lady Lions 0-2 in District 6-4A before Tuesday’s home match against Glen Rose.
Community
Theresa Agnew died September 24, 2026. Service arrangements are pending and have been entrusted to Brownwood Funeral Home.
Community
Donnie Walters passed away Sept. 18, 2026. A visitation is scheduled at Brownwood Funeral Home from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29.
Community
Donnie Walters died September 18, 2026. A visitation is scheduled for September 29 at Brownwood Funeral Home.
Culture
The Feels Like Home Festival’s first economic impact report says its 2025 event generated $4.74 million for Brownwood and the surrounding Central Texas area, including nearly $2 million in direct spending. The country music and barbecue festival returns to the Brownwood Event Center on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
Community
Leonard Fred Taylor Jr., 79, of Brownwood, died in Bangs, Texas. Family and friends will gather in early October for visitation and a graveside service at the Gardens of Memory.
Education
Eight students at Texas State Technical College’s Brownwood campus are completing an additional semester of hands-on pipe welding training, with certificates expected at commencement later this year.
Education
More than 70 high school musicians from 10 Central and West Texas schools recently spent a day at Howard Payne University learning from college music faculty, professional musicians and educators during a hands-on jazz workshop. The program included performances, clinics, improvisation instruction and a final concert featuring newly formed student combos.
Community
A 1,188-square-foot doublewide on approximately 0.69 acres in Harbor Point Subdivision is now listed for $265,000, with a Sunday open house scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m.
Community
The Early Chamber of Commerce recognized local leaders, businesses and organizations during its 2026 Annual Awards Gala Thursday night at the Brownwood Event Center.
Crime & Public Safety
Brownwood News reported that the Brown County Sheriff’s Office provided booking-report information on the morning of Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026.
Community Center Avenue
The City of Brownwood Building and Standards Commission will hold a public hearing Oct. 15 on properties at 508 Cordell Street and 611 Avenue D. The commission will consider whether the properties are nuisances or violate city ordinances, with possible enforcement measures including demolition and civil penalties.
Sport
The 1-3 Brownwood Lions will try to end a three-game losing streak when they visit the 1-3 China Spring Cougars at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, in the teams’ pre-district finale.
Community
The Brown County Elections Office says it received approximately 690 voter-registration records after a Texas Department of Public Safety technology error delayed submissions to county registrars. Voters are urged to verify their information before the Oct. 5 deadline.
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.
Sport
Brownwood High’s four-match tennis winning streak ended Tuesday with a 14-5 non-district loss at Class 5A Abilene Cooper. The Lions and Lady Lions will return to District 6-4A action Oct. 1 against Peaster in Glen Rose, with a fifth consecutive league win at stake.
Sport
Brownwood opened District 6-4A volleyball play with a four-set loss to Mineral Wells on Tuesday night. Demayha Hooker led the Lady Lions with 10 kills, while Brownwood will face Graham at 4:30 p.m. Friday.
Community
Dr. Jerry Heard Patrick, 93, of Brownwood, died Tuesday, September 22, 2026. His family will hold a celebration of life and visitation at Heartland Funeral Home in Early, followed by a graveside service in Dallas.
Business & Openings Commerce Street
Brownwood officials and developer Ted Hutto celebrated Shops on Commerce at a ribbon cutting Tuesday morning. The five-store retail center at 537 W. Commerce adds 41,000 square feet, with Ross and Ulta Beauty scheduled to open Oct. 9.
Community
A public hearing on annexating about 20 acres near Brownwood Regional Airport led to questions about whether the property could attract an AI data center or big-tech development. Brownwood Industrial Foundation President Angie Shults said there is no proposed use and that the foundation has not been approached about data centers.
Community
Brownwood City Council unanimously awarded Waldrop Construction a $3,975,707 contract to renovate the Bennie Houston Recreation Center, with construction expected to take 330 consecutive calendar days.
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.
Business & Openings
Brownwood recorded $31.7 million in new private construction projects in 2025 as residential and commercial development continued. The growth is also highlighting the need to plan ahead for roads, drainage, water, wastewater, schools and public services.
