NEWS
Tornado strikes rural Bowie

By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Tornado damage struck the Bowie area once more and while the primary city-limits were spared the outlying area took the brunt of it.
Between 10-14 tornadoes were reported across central and north Texas Monday evening. The National Weather Service is surveying damage and as of noon, Tuesday had not made a determination if there was just one tornado or more than one came across the southern part of the county, or what type of tornado.
The tornado warning went out at 4:19 p.m. just on the heels of a tornado striking Jacksboro and causing extensive damage. Further south the system created tornadoes that struck Round Rock causing major damage.
In Bowie, the storm sirens started going off about 4:15 p.m. and residents were urged to take cover. At 4:31 p.m. a confirmed “rain-wrapped” tornado was located southwest of Bowie moving northeast at 40 mph. Heavy rain and damaging half-dollar size hail accompanied it.
This storm system appears to have started its path near Fruitland Road moving northeast across to State Highway 101 where there was significant damage to homes. Just east of Tower Road on Hwy. 101, a house looked like it exploded.
Bowie Police Sgt. Bob Blackburn said firefighters climbed into the debris to find three residents who had been trapped. Blackburn said he helped clear some of the debris as the residents, who were barefooted, were taken away from the collapsed structure.
“It looked like a thumb had come down and just squashed that house. It is surprising anyone survived,” exclaimed Blackburn.
County Judge Kevin Benton said Monday night it appears about a dozen homes were destroyed and another 60 received damage, however, as assessments continue in the daylight those figures could change. Last night there also were about 2,500 people without electricity. He noted while there were six citizens reportedly who went to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, there were no deaths to report as of Monday.
Local law enforcement officers were patrolling the damaged areas to help protect assets.
“We are in the middle of assessing the damage today (Tuesday). The Texas Department of Emergency Management is sending a team to help, but they also are working in Jacksboro. It will be several days before we get actual numbers,” said the judge.
Monday night the judge signed a disaster declaration for the county and that will be forwarded to the governor’s office. It was expected the governor would declare a disaster in connection to these storms which opens up relief assistance to victims.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News. Also see a related story on the website about debris dumpsters being set up at the edge of Bowie. See more photos also in the mid-week edition.
NEWS
Game warden reminds holiday boaters, fishermen to be prepared to meet rules

Memorial Day weekend is considered the first official holiday of the summer, which means if the weather cooperates people will be taking to the lakes for fishing and boating, as well as swimming.
Preston Kleinman, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department game warden for Montague County, said conditions look good for the holiday week at the two mains lakes, Amon G. Carter outside Bowie and Lake Nocona. The forecast predicts mild rain chances.
“Both lakes are nearly full, but boaters should still watch for any possible underwater hazards such as logs. At Amon Carter those hazards vary depending on which side you are on, be cautious around the Rock Island in that lake. Lake Nocona is not quite full, but the same safety precautions apply,” said the warden.
Kleinman said law enforcement will be working the highways as well as the lakes across Texas to help ensure it is a safe holiday for all those out and about. He reminds boaters to make sure they have all their safety equipment in order such as appropriate-sized life jackets for all those traveling in the boat along with required lighting and boat registration information.
Fishermen need to make sure and have their license on their person whether they are on a boat or on the creek or lakeside.
All these violations can carry tickets with fines. The warden emphasized caution with alcohol use while boating, noting driving while intoxicated also applies to boaters and can result in a an arrest.
Regulations for boating and fishing are available at tpwd.texas.gov.
Read the full story in your weekend Bowie News.
CORRECTION – There is an error in the print edition. DWI while boating can result in an arrest, it is not a ticketed offense.
NEWS
Bowie proclaims EMS Week, gets updates on several city projects

By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
The Bowie City Council proclaimed EMS Week and learned the city received a portion of a grant to fund three generators with a possibility of more.
Councilors met Tuesday night and accepted the proclamation recognizing the work of its EMS team. Several members of the fire department were present to receive the proclamation. Theme for the week is: “Where Emergency Care Begins.”
The only action item was approval of a new board member to the Bowie Community Development Board. Jakob Bullard was recommended by the board.
Bowie Library Director Beth Hiatt also reviewed the upcoming Summer Reading program that begins June 6 and continues each Tuesday through July 25. It will be at 10 a.m. at the Bowie Community Center, except for June 13 when there is a field day at the soccer fields.
City manager report
Bert Cunningham said he had good news on several projects. The city’s grant application to fund the Mill Street railroad bridge project has been received by the U.S. Department of Transportation, which he said “Is in itself a milestone” due to the long-drawn-out process for the application.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.

Mayor Gaylynn Burris presented a proclamation for EMS Week to members of the City of Bowie Fire Department at Monday night’s city council meeting. EMS staff attending were Jay Ward, Matthew Fonner, Michael Dulceak, Kyle Hoffman and Chief Doug Page. The theme is “Emergency Care Begins Here.” (News photo by Barbara Green)
NEWS
Bowie seniors visit all campuses

Members of the Bowie High School graduating class took their senior walk through all four campuses Wednesday getting congratulations from students and teachers. Pictured: Walking through Bowie Elementary. The Jackrabbits will graduate in ceremonies Friday night. Watch for more photos from the walk in the mid-week edition. (Photo by Barbara Green)
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