THE MONTAGUE COUNTY HISTORICAL COMMISSION IS “FIRING UP THEIR BOILERS” TO HOST THE 10TH HISTORY ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION, FOCUSING ON THE IMPACT OF THE RAILROADS AND THE STEAM ENGINE IN LOCAL HISTORY. THEY ARE LOOKING FOR FOLKS WHO HAVE AN INTEREST IN THESE AREAS TO ROLL INTO THEIR ORAL HISTORY “ROUNDHOUSE” ON TUESDAY, MAY 14TH, FROM 2 TO 4 P.M. IN THE BOWIE PUBLIC LIBRARY AND SHOVEL IN A BIT MORE FUEL FOR THOUGHT.
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THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY (DPS) IS REMINDING DRIVERS ON TEXAS ROADWAYS TO USE EXTRA CAUTION AROUND MOTORCYCLES AS PART OF MOTORCYCLE SAFETY AND AWARENESS MONTH, WHICH IS OBSERVED DURING THE MONTH OF MAY. CURRENTLY, THERE ARE MORE THAN 440,000 MOTORCYCLES AND MOPEDS REGISTERED IN TEXAS, AND THAT NUMBER IS EXPECTED TO GROW. DPS RECOMMENDS ALL DRIVERS “SHARE THE ROAD” AND “LOOK TWICE” FOR MOTORCYCLES, WHICH ARE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS THAT HIGHLIGHT MOTORCYCLE SAFETY.
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HOW MANY PEOPLE DO YOU KNOW THAT ARE BATTLING CANCER TODAY? HOW ABOUT THOSE WHO HAVE FOUGHT AND WON – OR LOST? CANCER AFFECTS US ALL AT SOME POINT DURING OUR LIFE, EITHER PERSONALLY OR THROUGH A FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER. THROUGH RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, TREATMENTS HAVE BECOME AVAILABLE TO HELP SAVE LIVES ON A DAILY BASIS. SO NOW IS THE TIME FOR YOU TO COME OUT, SHOW YOUR SUPPORT, AND HELP RAISE MONEY FOR THE RESEARCH. THE 2013 MONTAGUE COUNTY RELAY FOR LIFE WILL BE HELD FRIDAY NIGHT AT THE HARLEY SEWELL STADIUM IN SAINT JO. THE EVENT WILL KICK OFF AT 6 P.M. WITH THE SURVIVORS AND CAREGIVERS LAP. ALONG WITH THE WALK, THERE WILL BE ALL KINDS OF GOOD FOOD AND FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY. THE WALK WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE NIGHT UNTIL DAYBREAK SATURDAY MORNING. LUMINARIAS WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE TO HONOR OR REMEMBER SOMEONE YOU KNOW WHO IS FIGHTING CANCER OR SOMEONE WHO LOST THE BATTLE. JOIN THE FIGHT AND SHOW UP FRIDAY NIGHT IN SAINT JO FOR THE MONTAGUE COUNTY RELAY FOR LIFE.

THE NCTC VISUAL ARTS STUDENT EXHIBIT RECENTLY OPENED. THE LAST DAY TO VIEW THE EXHIBIT WILL BE MAY 3. THE EXHIBIT REPRESENTS NINE DIFFERENT STUDIO CLASSES AND INCLUDES APPROXIMATELY 75 WORKS OF ART. EACH SEMESTER, STUDENTS ENROLLED EXHIBIT SELECTED WORKS THAT THEY HAVE EXECUTED THAT SEMESTER. THE NCTC VISUAL ARTS CENTER IS ESSENTIALLY A SMALL FACTORY. THE CENTER IS EQUIPPED WITH WOOD WORKING MACHINERY, METAL FABRICATION MACHINERY, A BRONZE FOUNDRY AND CERAMICS SHOP. AS A RESULT, STUDENTS ARE ABLE TO WORTH WITH PRACTICALLY ANY MEDIA AND ARE GIVEN FREE GRATIS TO DO SO.
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RAIN IS A RARE EVENT IN NORTH TEXAS THESE DAYS, BUT IT DID MANAGE TO CAUSE A POSTPONEMENT IN THE YOUTH RODEO SERIES BEING SPONSORED BY THE MONTAGUE COUNTY COWBOY CHURCH. THE NEW DATES FOR THEIR “21 AND UNDER YOUTH RODEO” SERIES WILL BE MAY 25TH, JUNE 8TH, AND JUNE 22ND. THE SERIES WILL BE HELD IN THE DAVE WILEY MEMORIAL ARENA 1600 FM 455W. MONTAGUE, TEXAS. THERE WILL BE FOUR AGE GROUPS. A SADDLE CERTIFICATE WILL BE GIVEN TO THE ALL-AROUND COWBOY AND COWGIRL IN EACH AGE GROUP. BUCKLES WILL BE AWARDED TO 1ST PLACE EVENT WINNERS IN EACH AGE GROUP, PLUS PAYBACK AT EACH RODEO. EVENTS INCLUDE BREAKAWAY, CALF RIDING, RIBBON ROPING, TIE-DOWN ROPING, TEAM ROPING, STEER RIDING, STEER WRESTLING, JR. BULL RIDING, BAREBACK RIDING, SADDLE BRONC, RANCH BRONC, SR. BULL RIDING, BARRELS, POLES AND GOAT TYING. DEADLINE FOR THE MAY 25TH RODEO IS MAY 13TH. CALL JANICE BLAHUTA AT 940-841-3418. GO TO WEBSITE FOR ENTRY FORM OR MORE INFORMATION www.montaguecountycowboychurch.org.

THE SALONA CEMETERY ASSOCIATION WILL MEET AT THE CEMETERY ON SUNDAY, MAY 5TH. THE BUILDING WILL BE OPEN BY 9:00 A.M. AND THE BUSINESS MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 11:00 A.M. THE BUSINESS MEETING WILL INCLUDE THE ELECTION OF OFFICERS, DISCUSSION OF A SALONA SCHOOL MONUMENT, AND ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED. IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT THE CEMETERY OF IDEAS FOR IMPROVEMENT, THIS WILL BE THE TIME TO LET THEM BE KNOWN. A POT LUCK LUNCH WILL BE SERVED AFTER THE BUSINESS MEETING. THE SALONA CEMETERY HISTORICAL PLACQUE WILL BE DEDICATED AT 1:00 P.M. MEMBERS OF THE MONTAGUE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND OTHERS WHO ARE INTERESTED IN THIS DEDICATION ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE GROUP FOR LUNCH AT 11:45 A.M. HISTORY OF THE SALONA CEMETERY NEEDS TO BE UPDATED, SO IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION, PLEASE SHARE IT WITH A BOARD MEMBER.

LOCAL ELECTIONS EARLY VOTING BEGINS TODAY AND WILL CONTINUE THROUGH TUESDAY, MAY 7TH. SEVERAL ELECTIONS WERE CANCELLED DUE TO A LACK OF CONTESTED RACES. HOWEVER, THE SAINT JO CITY COUNCIL, SAINT JO ISD, AND BOWIE ISD WILL BE CONDUCTING ELECTIONS ON SATURDAY, MAY 11TH. INCUMBENT SHEA BROWN WILL FACE FORMER SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER CHAD DAVIS IN THE BOWIE ISD ELECTION. EARLY VOTING FOR BOWIE ISD WILL BE HELD DAILY FROM 8 A.M. UNTIL 4 P.M. AT THE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION OFFICE LOCATED AT 102 WEST WICHITA STREET. ON SATURDAY, MAY 11TH, THE ELECTION WILL BE HELD AT THE BOWIE COMMUNITY ROOM, AT THE CORNER OF MASON AND PECAN STREETS. EARLY VOTING FOR SAINT JO ISD AND THE CITY OF SAINT JO WILL BE FROM 8 A.M. UNTIL 5 P.M. DAILY, AND ON MAY 1ST & 2ND, FROM 7 A.M. UNTIL 7 P.M., AT THE CITY HALL. SAINT JO CITY COUNCIL HAS THREE SEATS UP FOR ELECTION WITH FOUR CANDIDATES VYING FOR THOSE PLACES. CANDIDATES ARE INCUMBENTS CHRIS STEWART AND BRAD BUGG, ALONG WITH KAMERON McMAHEN AND SHANE BARCLAY. THE SAINT JO ISD HAS TWO BOARD POSITIONS ON THE BALLOT, AS WELL AS TWO PROPOSITIONS IN A CHAPTER 41 ELECTION. CANDIDATES FOR THE TRUSTEE POSITIONS INCLUDE RANDALL FLUSCHE, JOHN JONES, MIKE MARTIN, SHANE MORMAN, AND RODNEY SWIRCYNSKI.

(Friday, 3/22/13) WHAT BEGAN AS A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP, QUICKLY TURNED INTO A DEADLY SHOOTOUT ON HIGHWAY 287 IN BOWIE THURSDAY MORNING. MONTAGUE COUNTY DEPUTY JAMES BOYD, WHO WAS AIR-EVAC’D, IS REPORTEDLY IN SERIOUS CONDITION AFTER TAKING TWO BULLETS TO THE CHEST AND ONE TO THE HEAD, AND UNDERGOING SURGERY ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON. IT IS BELIEVED THAT HIS BULLET-PROOF VEST WAS THE ONLY THING THAT SAVED HIS LIFE. THE SHOOT-OUT BEGAN AROUND 10:30 A.M. ON THURSDAY MORNING ON 287 NEAR STATE HIGHWAY 59. SHORTLY AFTERWARD, WISE COUNTY AUTHORITIES WERE NOTIFIED THAT THE SUSPECT WAS BELIEVED TO BE TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND AND WAS DRIVING A BLACK CADILLAC. THE PURSUIT, FOLLOWING ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO STOP THE SUSPECT, CONTINUED INTO DECATUR AT DANGEROUSLY HIGH SPEEDS UNTIL THE SUSPECT WAS STRUCK BY AN APPROACHING 18-WHEELER. THE SUSPECT THEN EXITED THE VEHICLE WITH A HANDGUN AND ENGAGED IN A FIREFIGHT WITH DEPUTIES, STATE TROOPERS, AND DECATUR POLICE. THE SUSPECT WAS HIT AND LATER FLOWN BY AIR AMBULANCE TO JOHN PETER SMITH HOSPITAL IN FORT WORTH. THE SUSPECT, EVAN SPENCER EBEL, A PAROLED COLORADO INMATE, IS SUSPECTED TO HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN TWO MURDERS IN COLORADO, ONE OF THOSE BEING A COLORADO PRISON OFFICIAL. EBEL IS ON LIFE-SUPPORT, PENDING POSSIBLE ORGAN DONATION. COLORADO AUTHORITIES ARE IN TEXAS TODAY AND MORE INFORMATION IS EXPECTED AT A PRESS CONFERENCE IN DECATUR TODAY AT NOON.

(Thursday, 3/21/13) A Montague County Sheriff's Deputy was shot around 10:30 this morning during what was supposed to have been a routine traffic stop. The shooting took place near the intersection of U. S. Highway 287/81 and State Highway 59. The deputy was reportedly show twice in the chest and once in the head, and was Air-Evaced, but a report this afternoon indicates that his wounds are non-life threatening. During a high-speed chase, with speeds over 100 mph, that took law enforcement into Wise County, the suspect's car was hit by an 18-wheeler. The suspect reportedly fired at officers on the scene. Officers returned gunfire and the suspect was hit. The suspect was taken to Wise Regional Hospital. There has been no word on his condition. The names of the deputy and suspect have not yet been officially released. Meanwhile, southbound traffic on Highway 287 has been stopped and re-routed through the city of Bowie until the investigation at the shooting site has been completed. We will continue to monitor this story throughout the afternoon and update this site as information is received. (2:35 p.m.)

SOME CITIZENS WERE CONCERNED THAT THE GOLD-BURG ISD BOARD OF TRUSTEES HAD ALREADY DECIDED TO PLACE ARMED PERSONNEL ON THE CAMPUS WITHOUT FINDING OUT WHAT PARENTS AND TEACHER THOUGHT ABOUT THE PLAN. SUCH WAS NOT THE CASE STATED BOARD MEMBERS. A FULL CAFETERIA ON MONDAY FOUND SOME PARENTS WANTING ARMED SECURITY IN THE SCHOOL WHILE OTHERS FEARED THAT AN ACCIDENT COULD PROVE ALMOST AS FATAL AS HAVING A PERPETRATOR ENTER THE SCHOOL FOR THE PURPOSE OF HARM.
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THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY (DPS) WILL INCREASE DWI PATROLS FROM MARCH 8 – MARCH 17, ONE OF THE MOST ACTIVE SPRING BREAK PERIODS IN TEXAS. DPS TROOPERS WILL FOCUS DWI PATROLS IN HIGH-RISK LOCATIONS AT TIMES WHEN ALCOHOL-RELATED CRASHES ARE MOST FREQUENT.
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FIVE PEOPLE ENTERED GUILTY PLEAS IN THE 97TH DISTRICT COURT IN MONTAGUE ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH. AMBER NICOLE PEREZ, 21 PLED GUILTY TO DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED WITH A CHILD PASSENGER, PEREZ WAS SENTENCED TO 2 YEARS IN THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, FINED $1500, ORDERED TO PAY COURT COSTS OF $422, AND ORDERED TO SERVE 120 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE. JACOB ALLEN STEVENS, 21, PLED GUILTY TO POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA, OVER 4 OUNCES BUT LESS THAN 5 POUNDS. STEVENS WAS GIVEN 2 YEARS DEFERRED ADJUDICATION, ORDERED TO PROVIDE 120 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE, FINED $1500, ORDERED TO PAY COURT COSTS OF $372 AND RESTITUTION OF $140. DAVID LEE KNUDSEN, 52, PLED GUILTY TO DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED – 3RD OFFENSE OR MORE. HE WAS SENTENCED TO 5 YEARS IN THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, AND ORDERED TO PAY COURT COSTS OF $422. TERESA COON, 34, PLED GUILTY TO PERJURY. SHE WAS ORDERED TO SERVE 120 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE, SENTENCED TO 2 YEARS DEFERRED ADJUDICATION, AND ORDERED TO PAY COURT COSTS OF $322. FINALLY, MARY CHRISTINE BLACK, 41, PLED GUILTY TO MANUFACTURE OR DELIVERY OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. SHE WAS SENTENCED TO 2 YEARS DEFERRED ADJUDICATION, 120 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE, FINED $1500, AND ORDERED TO PAY COURT COSTS OF $372 AND RESTITUTION OF $140.

DISNEY LOVERS WILL ENJOY “SOUNDS OF NCTC”. THE ANNUAL SOUNDS OF NCTC CONCERT, SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 22ND, IS SURE TO BE FUN FOR ALL AGES. THIS YEAR’S SHOW WILL FEATURE SEVERAL DISNEY SONGS PERFORMED BY THE COLLEGE SINGERS AND THE NCTC JAZZ BAND. SOUNDS OF NCTC IS SET FOR 7:30 P.M., ON FRIDAY, MARCH 22 AT THE FIRST STATE BANK CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS ON THE NCTC GAINESVILLE CAMPUS.
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EATING OUT HAS NEVER BEEN MORE POPULAR. ALMOST HALF OF THE MONEY WE SPEND ON FOOD IS SPENT AWAY FROM HOME. EACH YEAR, THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION ESTIMATE THAT APPROXIMATELY 1 IN 6 AMERICANS WILL GET SICK FROM EATING CONTAMINATED FOOD AT HOME OR AT FOOD SERVICE ESTABLISHMENTS. THIS SPRING, TEXAS A&M AGRILIFE EXTENSION SERVICE MONTAGUE COUNTY IS OFFERING TRAINING TO HELP REDUCE THOSE NUMBERS OF ILLNESSES. THE PROFESSIONAL FOOD MANAGER CERTIFICATION TRAINING PROGRAM, CALLED “FOOD SAFETY: IT’S OUR BUSINESS” SEEKS TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FOODBORNE ILLNESS.
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GOT A WARRANT? PAY UP OR GO TO JAIL. CITIES ACROSS TEXAS HAVE JOINED TOGETHER TO ACTIVELY SERVE OUTSTANDING ARREST WARRANTS. WHILE WARRANTS ARE REGULARLY SERVED BY EACH JURISDICTION, THIS HUGE, COMBINED EFFORT PROVIDES MUCH GREATER OPPORTUNITIES FOR WARRANT SERVICE. IF YOU HAVE AN OUTSTANDING WARRANT OR A DELINQUENT TRAFFIC, MISDEMEANOR (CLASS C) CITATION, OR DELINQUENT PARKING CITATIONS THE TIME TO ACT IS NOW. BEGINNING MARCH 2ND, 2013 OVER 324 LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ACROSS TEXAS WILL BE CONCENTRATING THEIR EFFORTS TO ARREST YOU ON WARRANTS. LOCALLY, BOTH JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURTS IN MONTAGUE COUNTY, AS WELL AS MUNICIPAL COURTS IN BOWIE, NOCONA, SAINT JO, DECATUR, AND WICHITA FALLS, WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN THE ROUNDUP.

FIVE PEOPLE ENTERED GUILTY PLEAS IN THE 97TH DISTRICT COURT IN MONTAGUE ON MONDAY, FEBRUARY 25TH. AMBER NICOLE PEREZ, 21 PLED GUILTY TO DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED WITH A CHILD PASSENGER, PEREZ WAS SENTENCED TO 2 YEARS IN THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, FINED $1500, ORDERED TO PAY COURT COSTS OF $422, AND ORDERED TO SERVE 120 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE. JACOB ALLEN STEVENS, 21, PLED GUILTY TO POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA, OVER 4 OUNCES BUT LESS THAN 5 POUNDS. STEVENS WAS GIVEN 2 YEARS DEFERRED ADJUDICATION, ORDERED TO PROVIDE 120 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE, FINED $1500, ORDERED TO PAY COURT COSTS OF $372 AND RESTITUTION OF $140. DAVID LEE KNUDSEN, 52, PLED GUILTY TO DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED – 3RD OFFENSE OR MORE. HE WAS SENTENCED TO 5 YEARS IN THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, AND ORDERED TO PAY COURT COSTS OF $422. TERESA COON, 34, PLED GUILTY TO PERJURY. SHE WAS ORDERED TO SERVE 120 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE, SENTENCED TO 2 YEARS DEFERRED ADJUDICATION, AND ORDERED TO PAY COURT COSTS OF $322. FINALLY, MARY CHRISTINE BLACK, 41, PLED GUILTY TO MANUFACTURE OR DELIVERY OF A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE. SHE WAS SENTENCED TO 2 YEARS DEFERRED ADJUDICATION, 120 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE, FINED $1500, AND ORDERED TO PAY COURT COSTS OF $372 AND RESTITUTION OF $140.

MAIN STREET BOWIE HOSTED THEIR ANNUAL COMMUNITY APPRECIATION BANQUET DINNER ON MONDAY NIGHT. OUTGOING PRESIDENT BONNIE LEDBETTER WELCOMED GUESTS AND REVIEWED HIGHLIGHTS OF THE EVENTS HOSTED BY MAIN STREET DURING THE 2012 YEAR.
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ELEVEN PERSONS WERE INDICTED WHEN THE GRAND JURY MET IN THE 97TH DISTRICT COURT DURING THE WEEK OF JANUARY 14TH. DILLION HOLLAR WAS INDICTED ON A CHARGE OF THEFT OF PROPERTY OVER $1,500 BUT LESS THAN $20,000, WITH HIS BOND SET AT $7,500. DEVIN LYONS OF NOCONA WAS INDICTED ON A CHARGE OF DELIVERY OF MARIJUANA. HIS BOND WAS SET AT $25,000. LERELL MORNING AND IESHIA RAY, BOTH OF LAWTON, OKLAHOMA WERE INDICTED ON CHARGES OF POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA. BOND FOR MORNING AND RAY WERE BOTH SET AT $3,500. BILLY BROWN OF BOWIE WAS INDICTED ON A CHARGE OF ASSAULT FAMILY VIOLENCE. HIS BOND WAS SET AT $20,000. CHRISTOPHER COFFMAN OF TUTTLE, OKLAHOMA WAS INDICTED ON ONE COUNT OF INDECENCY WITH A CHILD. HIS BOND WAS SET AT $50,000. KEVIN MARTIN OF MONTAGUE WAS INDICTED ON ONE COUNT OF ASSAULT OF A PUBLIC SERVANT, WITH BOND SET AT $15,000. CHARLA McDANIEL OF BOWIE WAS INDICTED ON A CHARGE OF AGGRAVATED ASSAULT CAUSING SERIOUS BODILY INJURY. McDANIEL’S BOND WAS SET AT $8,000. TYLER WALLACE OF BOWIE WAS INDICTED ON A CHARGE OF ASSAULT FAMILY VIOLENCE WITH BOND SET AT $10,000. STEPHANIE EDWARDS OF RINGGOLD WAS INDICTED ON TWO COUNTS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD. EDWARD’S BOND WAS SET AT $30,000. AND, FINALLY, TRAVIS HAWTHORN OF NOCONA WAS INDICTED ON ONE COUNT OF UNAUTHORIZED USE OF A VEHICLE, WITH BOND SET AT $10,000.

THE NOCONA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS OFF TO A GREAT START IN 2013, REMINDING ALL OF THEIR BOARD MEMBERS OF SOME VERY SPECIAL EVENTS COMING UP IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE NEW YEAR. THE CHAMBER WILL BE HAVING “EVENTS” MEETINGS EVERY WEDNESDAY AT 5 P.M. AT THE VERANDA INN AND THE MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO EVERYONE – ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO BECOME MORE INVOLVED IN PLANNING AND HOSTING SPECIAL EVENTS IN NOCONA. THE FIRST BIG EVENT WILL BE THE VERY POPULAR “MARDI GRAS NOCONA STYLE” SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 9TH, AND THE SECOND EVENT WILL BE “CRUSIN’ NOCONA” AND THE VICARI CLASSIC CAR AUCTION, SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 19TH & 20TH. THE CHAMBER REMINDS EVERYONE THAT THE ECONOMY WILL BE POSITIVELY AFFECTED BY THESE EVENTS AND IT WILL TAKE EVERYONE WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT VISITORS GET THE FULL IMPACT OF NOCONA HOSPITALITY.

THE BOWIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS KICKING OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH THEIR BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING ON MONDAY, JANUARY 7TH AT THE BOWIE COMMUNITY CENTER EAST HALL. THE MEETING WILL BEGIN AT NOON AND LUNCH WILL BE SPONSORED BY ADVANCED REHABILITATION AND HEALTHCARE. ALL EXISTING BOARD MEMBERS AND NEWLY ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS SHOULD ATTEND. REORGANIZATION OF THE CHAMBER BOARD WILL BE ON THE AGENDA IN ORDER TO ELECT A NEW PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE BOARD FOR THE UPCOMING BUSINESS YEAR. A BOWIE NEWS REPRESENTATIVE WILL BE AT THE MEETING IN ORDER TO TAKE BOARD MEMBER PICTURES FOR THE UPCOMING SPECIAL EDITION “BANQUET TAB”.

ABIGAIL’S ARMS COOKE COUNTY FAMILY CRISIS CENTER SERVED OVER 428 NON-RESIDENTIAL FAMILIES IN 2011, ACCORDING TO THE STORY PUBLISHED IN THE MUENSTER ENTERPRISE. THEY EXPECT THAT NUMBER TO DOUBLE WHEN THEY OPEN THE DOORS TO THEIR NEW FACILITY. THAT IS ACCORDING TO THE STATISTICS FROM THE SHERMAN SHELTER. ABIGAIL’S ARMS DIRECTOR OF MEDIA RELATIONS KELLY FIORE-WATSON SPEAKS ENTHUSIASTICALLY AS SHE GIVES TOURS OF THE SHELTER, NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION. VISITORS WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO MOST AREAS OF THE CENTER UNLESS THEY ARE BUZZED IN BY THE STAFF. SECURITY REMAINS HIGH PRIORITY FOR THE FACILITY THAT WILL OFFER SHELTER AND ASSISTANCE TO WOMEN AND FAMILIES IN NEED OF PROTECTION FROM AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP. WATSON EXPLAINED THAT SOMEONE SEEKING HELP AT THE SHELTER WILL BE EVALUATED TO DETERMINE WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. THE SHELTER IS NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN GAINESVILLE.

THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY (DPS) TEXAS 10 MOST WANTED PROGRAM SET NEW RECORDS IN 2012 IN TOTAL APPREHENSIONS, GANG MEMBER APPREHENSIONS, SEX OFFENDER APPREHENSIONS AND TOTAL REWARDS PAID BY THE TEXAS CRIME STOPPERS PROGRAM. SO FAR THIS YEAR, DPS AND OTHER AGENCIES HAVE ARRESTED 30 TEXAS 10 MOST WANTED FUGITIVES AND SEX OFFENDERS, INCLUDING 20 GANG MEMBERS, AND $93,000 IN REWARDS HAVE BEEN PAID FOR TIPS THAT RESULTED IN ARRESTS.
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DOWNTOWN BOWIE CAME ALIVE JUST MOMENTS BEFORE THE CHRISTMAS PARADE STARTED ON SATURDAY NIGHT AS SANTA CALLED AND INSTRUCTED MAYOR PAT POLK TO “FLIP THE SWITCH” AND TURN ON THE LIGHTS OUTLINING BUSINESSES IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. JUDGES HAD A DIFFICULT TIME DETERMINING THE WINNERS, BUT ALAS, THEY ANNOUNCED THEM. THEY ARE:
SWEEPSTAKES – PISTON HEADS AUTO CLUB WITH THEIR “SANTA HELP COMES BY THE WAGON LOAD!”
1ST PLACE COMMUNITY – CUB SCOUTS PACK 116 “WINTER WONDERLAND”.
2ND PLACE COMMUNITY – ST. PETER LUTHERAN CHURCH “O HOLY NIGHT” BY THE LITTLE LAMBS.
1ST PLACE DECORATED VEHICLE – LARRY FAIN WITH “MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS RIDE”.
2ND PLACE DECORATED VEHICLE – CASEY & DEBRA FAIN & DAUGHTERS, DEMI & DANIELLE.
1ST PLACE EQUESTRIAN – RED RIVER SHOOTING STARS
2ND PLACE EQUESTRIAN – LANEY YATES – 2012 CHISHOLM TRAIL RODEO PRINCESS
1ST PLACE BUSINESS – BONNIE LEDBETTER, CPA WITH “CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK.”
2ND PLACE BUSINESS – SWEETIE PIE’S RIBEYES OF DECATUR IN THEIR DECORATED 1974 AMERICAN LEFRANCE FIRE TRUCK.

SIX PEOPLE ENTERED GUILTY PLEAS IN THE 97TH DISTRICT COURT ON MONDAY.
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THE TIME FOR CHRISTMAS IN NOCONA IS ALMOST HERE! THE DOWNTOWN AREA WILL BE LOOKING QUITE FESTIVE THANKS TO THE GENEROSITY OF PETE AND BARBARA HORTON. THE SANTA PARADE WILL KICK OFF THE CHRISTMAS EVENT ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7TH AT 5 PM IN DOWNTOWN.
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“NO ANGEL LEFT BEHIND” COULD BE THE THEME FOR A GROUP OF PEOPLE TRYING TO BE SURE THAT NO CHILD IS LEFT OUT WHEN SANTA MAKES HIS ROUNDS NEXT MONTH. “MONTAGUE COUNTY’S LITTLE ANGELS” IS TAKING APPLICATIONS FOR THEIR ANGEL TREE PROGRAM. THERE ARE THREE DATES LEFT FOR SIGNING UP – TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH FROM 3:30 – 5:30 P.M., FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30TH FROM 8:30 – 10:30 A.M., AND AGAIN ON SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8TH FROM 9:30 – 11:30 A.M, AND THE SIGN-UP LOCATION WILL BE AT THE FIRE HALL IN MONTAGUE. APPLICATIONS WILL BE TAKEN FOR CHILDREN 15 YEARS OF AGE AND YOUNGER, UNLESS HE OR SHE IS A SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD. THE ANGEL TREE WILL THEN BE PLACE AT ACE HARDWARE IN NOCONA. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, CALL BARBARA AT 940-366-0336.

THE NATIONAL PARENTING CENTER HAS RELEASED ITS 22ND ANNUAL HOLIDAY SEAL OF APPROVAL REPORT. THE FINAL REPORT OF 2012 FOLLOWS TWO MONTHS OF CONSUMER TESTING BY PARENTS AND CHILDREN AT THE NATIONAL PARENTING CENTER'S TEST CENTERS. WINNERS FROM THIS TESTING PERIOD ARE AWARDED THE 2013 SEAL OF APPROVAL.
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RECENTLY THE SAINT JO CITY COUNCIL FIRED A POLICE OFFICER AND THEIR POLICE CHIEF RESIGNED. POLICE CHIEF BILLY REYNOLDS SAYS HE IS DISPLEASED WITH THE WAY THE CITY HANDLED THE FIRING OF OFFICER GARY AMBURN. AMBURN CAME UNDER FIRE RECENTLY, AFTER TWO CONTROVERSIAL ARRESTS. RESIDENTS EXPRESSED THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT AMBURN AND REYNOLDS TO THE CITY COUNCIL. REYNOLDS SAYS AMBURN'S FIRING WAS NOT PROPERLY INVESTIGATED AND FOR THAT REASON ALONE, REYNOLDS HIMSELF CAN NO LONGER WORK FOR THEM. LANCE PROVOST HAS BEEN NAMED THE INTERIM CHIEF.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS, GET OUT YOUR RUNNING GEAR, AND GET READY FOR THE 3RD ANNUAL “FREEZE OUT 5K”. THE FREEZE OUT WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 2ND, AT NOON, AND WILL BEGIN AT THE BOWIE COMMUNITY CENTER AT 413 PELHAM DRIVE. THE “FREEZE OUT 5K” FUN RUN IS A BENEFIT RUN FOR PATSY’S HOUSE. YOU CAN REGISTER ONLINE BY GOING TO ACTIVE.COM AND SEARCH FREEZE OUT 5K, BOWIE TEXAS. APPLICATIONS CAN ALSO BE PICKED UP AT PATSY’S HOUSE IN BOWIE AT 506 HULME STREET. YOU CAN DROP OFF OR MAIL YOUR REGISTRATION TO PATSY’S HOUSE, ATTENTION MISTY SPRING, 506 HULME STREET, BOWIE, TEXAS, 76230. BUT DON’T DELAY!

THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER HAS BROUGHT A BIG CHANGE FOR THE BOWIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AS THEIR OFFICE HAS RE-LOCATED TO 405 W. WICHITA STREET (AT THE CORNER OR WEST WICHITA AND HIGHWAY 59 SOUTH). THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WILL BE SHARING OFFICE SPACE WITH PRO-SOURCE INSURANCE. THE MOVE HAS BEEN CHALLENGING DUE TO SPACE CONSTRAINTS, BUT A STORAGE BUILDING HAS BEEN ACQUIRED AND THE MOVE HAS BEEN COMPLETED. THE BUILDING SIGN HAS BEEN TO THE NEW LOCATION.

FOLLOWING THE DISCUSSION OF THE RATE INCREASE REQUEST BY PROGRESSIVE WASTE SOLUTIONS (FORMERLY IESI) LAST MONTH, THE BOWIE CITY COUNCIL WAS TOLD THAT TO REJECT THE RATE INCREASE WOULD BE A BREACH OF CONTRACT. THE REQUEST WAS BACK ON THE AGENDA TUESDAY NIGHT AND THE COUNCIL APPROVED THE APPROXIMATE 30 CENTS PER MONTH INCREASE FOR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS.
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REGENTS OF THE NORTH CENTRAL TEXAS COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO EXTEND THE CONTRACT OF SCHOOL PRESIDENT DR. EDDIE HADLOCK THROUGH 2015 AT A SPECIAL MEETING TUESDAY. HADLOCK WAS ALSO GIVEN THE SAME PAY INCREASE OF 3 PERCENT THAT ALL NCTC FULL-TIME STAFF MEMBERS RECEIVED THIS YEAR.
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A HELICOPTER CRASHED INTO NOCONA LAKE AROUND 7 P.M. ON SUNDAY EVENING. KNTX SPOKE WITH GAME WARDEN CHASE McANINCH ON MONDAY MORNING. HE STATED THAT DETAILS AND NAMES OF THE PILOT AND PASSENGERS CAN NOT BE RELEASED AT THIS TIME PENDING COMPLETION OF THE INVESTIGATION. THE HELICOPTER CRASHED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOCONA LAKE AND SUNK. THE THREE PERSONS ON BOARD ESCAPED WITH ONLY MINOR INJURIES AND WERE PULLED TO SAFETY FROM THE LAKE, THANKS TO THE QUICK RESPONSE OF LAKE RESIDENTS AND THE NOCONA RURAL VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE CRASH IS UNDER THE INVESTIGATION BY THE TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT AND THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION.

THE BUTTERFIELD STAGE IN GAINESVILLE IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THEIR THIRD ARTIST SHOWCASE FEATURING THE TEXAS-INSPIRED ART OF NOCONA ARTIST, LARRY G. LEMONS, AND MUSICAL GUESTS DIRT ROAD GYPSIES. THE ART AND MUSIC EVENT WILL BE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 4TH, FROM 7:00 P.M. UNTIL 9:00 P.M. AT THE BUTTERFIELD STATE, 201 SOUTH DENTON STREET, IN GAINESVILLE. ENJOY A RELAXED VENUE WITH A COOL VIBE, LIGHT REFRESHMENTS AND FREE ADMISSION. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT www.butterfieldstage.org OR CALL 940-665-8152.

THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF WILDLIFE ART PRESENTS WESTERN VISIONS, A HIGHLY ANTICIPATED ANNUAL SHOW AND SALE, AS PART OF THE JACKSON HOLE FALL ARTS FESTIVAL. DAVIS & BLEVINS GALLERY ARTISTS DONNA HOWELL-SICKLES, MELANIE FAIN, AND LINDA ST-CLAIR ARE PARTICIPATING IN THE MINIATURES & MORE EXHIBIT ON VIEW NOW THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23RD WITH AN EVENING RECEPTION PLANNED FOR THIS EVENING. DONNA HOWELL SICKLES WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE, SO JOIN HER IF YOU HAPPEN TO BE TRAVELING IN THE JACKSON HOLE AREA FOR A LOOK AT THE SMALL BUT POWERFUL WORKS OF WILDLIFE ART.