NEWS

Montague County passes handgun carry policy for all its buildings

Published

11 years ago

01/05/2016

Just eight hours shy of the new year, Montague County Commissioners approved an open-carry policy for its buildings outlining by order all the offices where persons are allowed to exercise their open carry rights.

The commissioners met on New Year’s Eve to vote on the proposed policy developed by a committee earlier in the week.

County Judge Rick Lewis said the committee used a policy from another county and tweak to suit local resources.

While the new open carry law that began Jan. 1 outlines where a licensed person may carry a holstered weapon, it does have restrictions for schools, courts, airports, racetracks or polling places on voting days.

County and city governments are examining what constitutes a “government court.” The open carry statute states one of the places firearms can be prohibited is “on the premises of any government court or offices utilized by the court.”

Commissioners are considering five courts including themselves, two justice of the peace courts, county court and 97th district court. Recent attorney general opinions have indicated the restrictions can only be in courtrooms and offices specifically related to court operations.

The policy describes in length the “affected buildings.” Lewis said they felt it was important to make the facilities “as safe as we can and meet the law.”

Each of the presiding judges outlined their use areas and prohibitions for open carry. Virtually every county offices is included. Read the full story and list of offices in the mid-week News.

COUNTY LIFE

Montague County sees 56.1% voter turnout in midterms

Published

36 minutes ago

11/05/2026

bowienews

Montague County voters joined the rest of the state with a tremendous turnout in Tuesday’s elections.
The elections administration office reported with all 10 precincts counted a turnout of 56.01% or 8,732 casting ballots. There are 15,591 registered voters in the county.
While there were no county contested races, there were two city council and two school board elections.
The Bowie City Council has three places on the ballot. Laura Sproles, incumbent, was not challenged for her place two.
Levi Bailey won the precinct one seat with 925 votes. Valerie Thomerson received 328 votes.
In precinct three, Terry Gunter won with 1,027 votes and Glenda Durham was second with 383

Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.

NEWS

Nocona teen dies after apolice chase

Published

43 minutes ago

11/05/2026

bowienews

A 15-year-old Nocona boy was killed in a crash following a law enforcement pursuit just after midnight on Nov. 1.
Sgt. Aaron Brandle, public information officer with the Montague County Sheriff’s office, said the crash occurred on Nov. 1 at around 12:21 a.m.
The vehicle in the pursuit crashed in the 3600 block of Cardwell Road in Montague County. The juvenile was the sole occupant of the vehicle and was ejected as a result of the crash.
The release states responding law enforcement personnel immediately initiated life-saving measures at the scene. The juvenile was subsequently transported to Nocona General Hospital, where despite continued life-saving efforts, he was pronounced deceased.

While the authorities have not publicly identified the deceased, several community efforts have been launched to assist the family of AR “Mando” Alcantar, a sophomore at Nocona High School. Students and staff also have taken steps to remember the popular young man.

A Gofundme account also has been sent up under the name Small Town, Big Hearts – Help support the Alcantar Family. It was organized by Kelsey Cabrera.

(Top photo – AR “Mando” Alcantar)

Read the full report in the Thursday Bowie News.

The Bowie News staff apologizes for the error in spelling of the the young man’ s name in the print edition. It stated “Mondo” and that was incorrect. We did not find the error until after press time.