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Smoke Eaters: Local fireman travels nation fighting historic fires

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By DANI BLACKBURN
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During 2018 parts of the nation experienced historical wildfires that claimed more than 80 lives and destroyed thousands of structures.
While Montague County has been fortunate to avoid disastrous massive fires this year, many residents know tragedy can easily strike as the 13th anniversary of the Jan. 1, 2006 Ringgold fire that destroyed 30 homes, burned 15,000 acres and killed hundreds of head of livestock nears.
Brant Frazier, a professional firefighter with the City of Fort Worth and a City of Bowie volunteer firefighter, was at the forefront of those tremendous California wildfires this past year, as well as other large fires in Texas.
He has spent the better part of the year deployed to battle these deadly blazes as part of the North Texas Fire Resources and Texas Interstate Fire Mutual Aid System.
California has led the headlines this year as wildfires scorched acres and acres of forest land and homes, but Texas also suffered as fuels, weather patterns and topography created the perfect environment for wildfires to cause rampant destruction.
“I would say that our wildfires in Texas are driven a lot by our weather patterns,” explained Frazier. “If you look at this year, we typically have the worse wildfire years when we go from a really wet year into a really dry year just due to the vegetation and having that large amount of growth.”


Read the full feature in the weekend 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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