COUNTY LIFE
Local athlete prepares to take on the world
Three years ago, Bowie’s Janaé Jones had never played rink hockey. Next month, she’ll represent her home country as part of Team U.S.A. at the 2014 Rink Hockey Ladies World Championship in Tourcoing, France.
The 15-year-old daughter of John and Dara Jones, Janaé was introduced to the sport by her friends. She was invited to go skating and grew to enjoy the activity. Eventually she was asked to play hockey with them.
“Janaé and her sister were rink kids,” said Dara, noting the family lives about a mile from Pop’s Skateland in Bowie. “They spent a lot of time there before it closed. She even worked there for a while.”
Janaé, Jasmine, 12, and their younger brother John, six, better known as Bubba, all took to the floor to learn the game. Janaé began to play for Pop’s in-house and travel team. As her skills grew, so did her affection for a sport few are familiar with in the U.S.
Rink hockey, also referred to as roller hockey and hardball hockey, is played with four floor players and one goalie. Aside from the goalie, minimal equipment is worn by players. The objective is to score by putting the ball into the opponent’s goal, using a stick.
In the U.S., the sport is governed by the United States Association of Roller Sports (USARS). Despite resembling ice hockey, contact between players is comparable to basketball. Those familiar with the game say it more closely resembles soccer than ice hockey.
Of the four players on the floor, two play offense, while two are on defense. Janaé is a defensive player.
“When I started, I focused on defense. I knew nothing of the sport and defense came most naturally,” she said. “My coach, Frank Tillery, taught me from the ground up and helped set the foundation for the player I am becoming today. He supported me and encouraged me every step of the way. If ever I needed anything, he was there. To this day, I still play with his old, well loved gloves, knee pads and stick that he handed down to me.”
Tillery still services, tweaks and builds all of the Jones family’s skates and he still supports the kids in anyway he is able.
“When’s Pop’s Skateland closed in October 2013, everyone was sad, skating as the Jones kids knew it, was over. The Bowie hockey players merged with the hockey club at Decatur Skate,” Dara recalled. “After the merge, we realized we were joining a very experienced club and would have the opportunity to learn from one of the best in the sport.”
Read the full story in the Sept. 6 edition of the Bowie News.
Take time to remember all those who gave all for our freedoms in America. The Bowie News staff wishes you a safe and happy holiday day weekend this Memorial Day. The News office will be closed on Monday for the holiday.
AUSTIN – With Memorial Day weekend marking the unofficial start to summer boating season, Texas Game Wardens are preparing for one of the busiest boating weekends of the year and reminding Texans and visitors alike to put safety first before heading out on the water.
In 2025, Texas recorded 178 reportable boating incidents that resulted in 50 fatalities and 77 serious injuries. Eighty-four percent of those who died in boating incidents were not wearing a life jacket. Texas Game Wardens also made 223 Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) arrests last year.
“Memorial Day weekend is when many families get back on the water for the first time this year,” said Col. Ron VanderRoest, director of Law Enforcement for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “Before you leave the dock, take a few minutes to make sure your life jackets are on board, your boat is properly equipped and you have designated a sober operator.”
Texas Game Wardens encourage boaters to keep the following in mind before launching:
- Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Children younger than 13 are required to wear one while underway.
- Never operate a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- The operator must wear the lanyard or have the engine cut-off switch fob on their person when operating a boat equipped with one.
- Operate at a safe speed and maintain a proper lookout.
- Take a boater education course. It is required for anyone born on or after Sept. 1, 1993.
- Check the weather before heading out and be prepared for changing conditions.
- Leave a float plan with someone you trust.
- Don’t overload your boat.
“Boating should be fun,” said VanderRoest. “A little planning and some common sense help keep it that way.”
Renting a Boat or Personal Watercraft
If you plan to rent a boat or personal watercraft, choose a licensed vessel livery (a business establishment engaged in renting or hiring out vessels for profit).
By law, vessel liveries must provide all required safety equipment, explain how to operate the vessel, review applicable boating laws and have the operator sign a form acknowledging they received this information. They are also required to carry liability insurance.
Before leaving the dock, renters should make sure the vessel has enough life jackets for everyone on board and that they understand basic operating rules, including those specific to personal watercraft.
Personal Watercraft Safety
Personal watercraft, including jet skis, are subject to special laws in Texas. Operators and passengers must always wear a life jacket, the operator must use the engine cut-off switch, and these vessels may not be operated between sunset and sunrise. Operators must also stay at least 50 feet from other vessels, people and the shore unless traveling at headway speed.
“Whether you’re launching your own boat or renting one for the day, take the time to understand the rules and make safety part of your plan,” said VanderRoest. “If you take safety seriously from the start, you’re far less likely to need help later.”
For more information about boating laws, required equipment and boater education courses, visit the TPWD Boater Education Program at tpwd.texas.gov/boatereducation.
Starting at noon on May 25 at The V (VFW) in Nocona there will be a program for the Memorial Day featuring speakers, cannons and a rifle team.
There will be a Memorial Day Celebration Dinner at 5 p.m. on May 25 at the Nocona Senior Citizens Center (Carpenter Shop).
Call for reservations at 940-825-3148. The meal will include barbecue ribs, french fries, beans, cole slaw, dessert and ice team. Adults are $10 and children $5.
Proceeds benefit the senior center and the Meals on Wheels program at Nocona.
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