By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Infrastructure projects were the dominant topics at this week’s Bowie City Council meeting including status reports on the engineering work for Nelson and Lamb Street repairs, the sewer line replacement project and the installation of a new water line to provide fire service for a new business.
City Manager Bert Cunningham said he and city staffers met with Mike Tibbets of Hayter Engineering on March 15 to discuss plans for the Nelson and Lamb Street bridges and related repairs.
After a recent meeting with city staff, a few changes were made to the plans. Tibbets said designs were more than 50% complete and as soon as they are done they will come to the council for review and bidding. A portion of Nelson Street at Kiwanis Park was closed on Aug. 21 after a section on the north side of the road failed. It is just a portion of an area along Nelson, Lamb and Rock that has experienced ongoing drainage problems for many years.
City officials did significant work in the Kiwanis Park area and Lamb to slow the flow of water, but major work is needed to replace the culverts that go under the streets, replace nearby drop boxes and other improvements downstream.

Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.

Bowie Police are investigating a series of four auto burglaries that occurred during the nighttime hours of March 27.
Sgt. Scott Parker said all of the burglaries were reported the morning of March 28 when the owners discovered the autos had been rummaged through or something was missing.
The incidents were reported by Michael and Melissa McMillian, 710 Lee Street, and Jacquelyn McLean, Natalie Walker and Mindy Gresham, all residents at The Grove at Brushy Creek at 1101 Eldorado and Patterson.
Parker said it appears all of the vehicles were unlocked and there was no damage to any of them. Items taken included a wallet, a small amount of cash, medication and some credit and debit cards.
“The common factor between them is the suspect used an online cash app to try and get money sent to him, which has helped us identify a 16-year-old male as a possible suspect,” explained Parker.
Residents are encouraged by police to keep their vehicles locked at their homes and businesses, as well as their homes when they are away from them.
Drivers also should not leave valuable items or documents in the vehicle. Parker said summertime is coming up and it is high season for vehicle burglaries, which should prompt additional vigilance by residents.
The police are still seeking the suspect as the investigation continues.

Versel Rush, a Bowie attorney who practices law for Child Protective Services, received the highest award presented by the Child Protection Law Section of the Texas State Bar during ceremonies on March 23.
Rush accepted the Rutland Excellence in Advocacy Award named after Fairy Rutland, who started the State Bar of Texas Child Abuse & Neglect Committee which existed for about three decades before the State Bar approved the formation of the Child Protection Law Section.
Sandra Hachem, chair of the Child Protection Law Section said the award honors a lawyer who demonstrates distinguished legal service in the area of child protection law. This award is selected from nominations made by the Bar.

Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.