Breckenridge Texan

The Stephens County Commissioners Court honored Texas Ranger Shane Morrow at their Monday, Sept. 12, meeting, proclaiming the day Ranger Lancer Shane Morrow Day in Stephens County.

Morrow officially retired from the Texas Rangers on Aug. 31, after 26 years with the Department of Public Safety, including 14 years as a Texas Ranger. He was stationed in the Eastland office and, in his career as a Ranger, had specializations in Ranger Recon, Cold Case, and Unmanned Arial Systems Pilot.

“…Ranger Morrow has diligently served the citizens of Stephens County in criminal investigations…(and) has dedicated his life to the public good and making Texas and Stephens County a safe place to live,” the proclamation states. “The Court encourages all citizens to extend their gratitude to Ranger Morrow for his years of dedicated service.”

Stephens County Judge Michael Roach presents a proclamation to Texas Ranger Shane Morrow at Monday’s County Commissioner Meeting. Also pictured are commissioners Eric O’Dell, Will Warren, Mark McCullough and David Fambro. (Photo Courtesy of Stephens County)

During the meeting, the commissioners also took care of a variety of other Court business items, including approving a request by Sheriff Kevin Roach purchase a new telephone system for the Sheriff’s Office and Law Enforcement Center.

Sheriff Roach said that the LEC’s phone system records all telephone calls. “But our system is failing,” he explained. “And none of the recordings can be retained. The only way we can retain them is to play them and record them on some other device.”

The software the office is currently using is old and only has a temporary fix in place.

The commissioners approve the purchase of a system like the one in place at the courthouse.

Other business

In other business, the commissioners:

• Took no action on a burn ban for the county, meaning that there currently is no burn ban in place.
• Received the annual report on the Stephens County Extension Service.
• Received and approved a report from the Breckenridge Library regarding their use of the county’s American Rescue Plan Act funds. The money was provided by the federal government in 2021 to help communities that were affected by the world-wide coronavirus pandemic.
• Approved the purchase of digital cameras for use by Stephens County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies.
• Approved the renewal of an agreement with the City of Cisco for jail confinement services.
• Approved a new fee schedule for the Sheriff’s Office and Constable’s office.
• Approved the order for the November 2022 General Election.
• Accepted the formal resignation of Cameron Gulley, auditor for Stephens County.
• Agreed to pursue a grant for a fire truck.
• Approved a renewal of the workers compensation agreement for the fiscal year 2023.
• Approved the 2023 ramp grant contract for Stephens County Airport.
• Agreed to have test holes dug on County property to determine if there’s enough rock there to make it worthwhile for the County to get a rock crusher and produce their own crushed rock base for road work.
• Approved the interlocal bond supervision agreement with Young County.

Cutline, top photo: Stephens County Sheriff Kevin Roach discusses the purchase of a new phone system for the Sheriff Office and Law Enforcement Center. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

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