NEWS
Dry conditions fueling grass fires across north Texas
During the weekend north Texas firefighters battled several wildfires that damaged thousands of acres, structures and shut down major highways due to heavy smoke and fire.
Concerns about potential fire conditions this week led the governor’s office to preposition two large air tankers regionally to be available to respond quickly to fire danger.
This past two Friday two major wildfires threatened towns and property in this region. Firefighters from across a 120-mile area responded to the fires including numerous firefighters from Montague County departments.
The Electra complex fire began about 3 p.m. on Dec. 10 and is believed to have started on Hwy. 25 near the hospital. Wichita County Sheriff David Duke reported it was likely power lines crossed in the high winds which may have sparked the fire.
Some 2,300 acres were impacted by the fire and Electra School District, residents along U.S. Highway 287 and locations along Business 287 were called to evacuate. U.S. 287 also was closed down for a time period due to heavy smoke
and fire. Wichita County Judge Woody Gossom approved a disaster declaration for this fire area Monday. The fire was not fully contained until Sunday.
That same afternoon a grass fire started in Clay County south of Jolly. Called the Arrowhead fire, it eventually covered more than 6,300 acres in Clay County.
The fire jumped U.S. 287 and split into two fires as the high winds pushed the fire north. It also was not fully contained until Sunday. Evacuations also were being considered for several small towns and communities in the fire line.
A Dec. 11 fire in Young County burned across more than 500 acres.
Conditions around much of Texas are dry and forecasts are calling for winter weather to be warmer and drier than average.
The U.S. Drought Monitor shows most of the High Plains, West Texas and East Texas are in extreme drought to abnormally dry. West central, central and coastal parts of the state are not experiencing drought.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
Infrastructure projects once more dominate the agenda of the Bowie City Council when it meets at 6 p.m. on May 13.
A pair of proclamations open the meeting, one for Emergency Medical Services Week and National Travel and Tourism Week.
City Manager Bert Cunningham will present information on the substation transformer project, the phase two sewer line replacement contract, status of the infrastructure fund and plans for the budget.
A pair of public works requests will ask for $24,000 out of the infrastructure fund to buy nine fire hydrants and $29,825 from the meter tap account to buy replacement meters. Public Works Director Stony Lowrance is expected to make that presentation.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
The final Bowie Business Boost featuring secrets from a secret shopper will be on May 21 in the Bowie Community Center.
This four-part series that kicked off in February has explored many of the every day challenges a business faces and how to tackle them. Speakers have challenged attendees to act and boost the success of their business and motivate employees to achieve their goals and meet the firm’s mission.
On May 21, Alysia Cook will bring “8 Secrets from a Secret Shopper.” Breakfast is at 7:30 a.m. with the presentation 8 to 9:30 a.m. Cook, Professional Community and Economic Developer and principal of Opportunity Strategies, is a proven expert in the field of customer service and hospitality. Her secret shopper program will provide a blueprint to ensure your customers have a great experience in all of your business interactions and then become your best ambassadors.
Janis Crawley, executive director of the Bowie Economic Development Corporation, said she has been pleased with the attendance and the programs as guests come away with lots of great ideas. The BEDC hosted the program.
For information call the BEDC at 940-872-4193, text 940-531-8201 or email us at [email protected]
Construction on the new Allsup’s truck stop located at the edge of Bowie on U.S. Highway 287 and State Highway 59 is moving along at a quick pace as the colorful new store shows off the new store colors of red, white and blue. No information was available when the new location may be completed, but staff is being hired. (News photo by Barbara Green)
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