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State emergency managers visit county discussing 2015 FEMA projects

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By BARBARA GREEN

The slow moving government bureaucracy connected with spring 2015 flooding damage across Montague County roads raised its head to the commissioners’ court Monday as state officials asked about the status of federal disaster repairs while county officials wait on slow paying reimbursements.
Officials with the Texas Division of Emergency Management met with the court asking for updates on the Federal Emergency Management Administration funded repairs, but it appears to be an instance of one government department not having all the information from the other. Colleen O’Neal, district coordinator, Dave Wiltse, recovery officer and Lance Liggett, district coordinator field response, addressed the court.
O’Neal said the county has “numerous projects on the books,” and it is her job to make sure those keep moving or it could raise a red flag and FEMA could defund the work.
County Judge Rick Lewis told the court when he spoke to O’Neal last week she told him they only had seven completed projects on their books for the county, but in actuality 47 projects have been done, 17 others are partially done at more than 90 percent completion.
With the mountain of documentation required for every dollar of FEMA money it was odd that information had not been provided or was not available to the area coordinators.

Read the full story in the mid-week News.

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Montague County juggles spending Senate Bill 22 funds

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By BARBARA GREEN
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April was proclaimed as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Montague County by the commissioner’s court on Monday.
A large group of representatives from the Montague County Child Welfare Board, 2Engage Family Service, Child Protective Services and Court Appointed Special advocates filled the courtroom to present the annual proclamation, which was read by Lorra Lierly.
This month of awareness informs the public about the fight against child abuse in all its forms and at all ages of children, plus its impact on families. Those who wish to report possible concerns can call a hotline at 800-252-5400.
It was a relatively brief agenda of business for the court Monday.
They made some changes to how the Senate Bill 22 grant funds will be spent in the county attorney’s office.
SB22 created a grant program that provides financial assistance based on population to sheriff, district and county attorney offices to ensure professional law enforcement and legal representation of the people’s interests throughout the state. The court approved how it will be spent through the county attorney’s office hiring an investigator to serve that office plus others.

Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.

Lorra Lierly presented the proclamation naming April as Child Abuse Prevention Month. She was joined by local county child welfare board members, Child Protective Service staff, CASA and 2Engage Families. (Photo by Barbara Green)
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Saint Jo ISD purchases 25 acres for long-term planning

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By BARBARA GREEN
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In an effort to bolster long-term planning, the Saint Jo Independent School District Board of Trustees recently approved the purchase of 25 acres on the west side of the city.
School officials made the announcement in a press release just as the district went on spring break, calling it “a significant milestone in the district’s commitment to providing high-quality education and meeting the needs of its growing student population.”
“We are pleased to announce the acquisition of this valuable land, which will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of education in Saint Jo ISD,” stated Leeton Phillips, president of the Saint Jo ISD School Board.

Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.

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City of Saint Jo to try four-day work week for public works, sewer departments

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The Saint Jo City Council approved a 60-day trial of a four-day work week for the public works and sewer departments, but the city office staff will keep their present hours.
According to the March 13 minutes Public Works Director Marty Hilton made the request to change the work week. The council went into executive session to discuss personnel, and back in open session voted 5-0 to try a 60-day trial for the four-day work week for public works.
Two employees will work Monday-Thursday and the other two will

work Tuesday-Friday. It is up to the employees to determine the work schedule that will go from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting March 29.

Read the rest of the story in the mid-week Bowie News.

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