NEWS
State fire inspection of courthouse cites lack of second fire exits
By BARBARA GREEN
Montague County could face a major remodel of its 104-year-old courthouse if it is unable to obtain a variance related to the lack of a second approved fire exit off the top two floors.
In mid-July, County Judge Rick Lewis received a Fire Safety Inspection Report from James Scott McAnallen, deputy state fire marshal, citing 14 violations of the Life Safety Code. The county was given 30 days to respond to the state office detailing its intentions to correct violations, and a timeline for their completion.
The fire marshal’s office conducted an investigation into a complaint filed on the doors of the courthouse being chained and locked during business hours. Lewis said he asked about the specific complaint, but the inspector would not provide any details.
The only recent event during which the courthouse was limited to one entry point occurred during the June 29 criminal trial of Ricky Howard. All doors are closed with signs noting the only entry is through the basement where each person goes through a metal detector. There was no confirmation if this was the event where the complaint occurred.
Read the full story in the mid-week News.
Pictured: The fire escape slides that extend from the third floor of the courthouse to the ground. There are two slides on the building. (Photo by Barbara Green)
City of Bowie officials were on hand to inspect the emergency electrical generators that were delivered last week.
Mayor Gaylynn Burris and City Manager Bert Cunningham inspected one of three emergency electrical generators purchased as part of an ongoing Federal Emergency Management Agency Hazard Mitigation Grant. They also talked with Jay Evans, head of the city electric department, and Jerry Sutton, director of the water treatment plant about the next step for installation of the generators.
This grant provides funding for one 150 kW and two 250 kW generators for use at the water treatment plant.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
City Manager Bert Cunningham and Mayor Gaylynn Burris talk with the electric and water department staff about the new generators. (Photo by Cindy Roller)
No action was taken on a legal issue after members of the Bowie City Council met in a called closed session at 4 p.m. on July 12.
City Secretary Sandy Page said the council met for almost one hour for “consultation with attorney – Midwest Waste Services LLC vs. City of Bowie.
This lawsuit goes back to August 2019 when Midwest sued the city for its action requiring those who receive city water outside the city limits to use the designated waste collector, which is Waste Connections. This was shortly after the city signed a new long-term contract with WC.
The suit was dismissed in June 2020 on two points in the suit, but City Manager Bert Cunningham said a third point remained in mediation.
The Department of Public Safety has provided information on an auto vs. motorcycle accident that reportedly occurred on July 4.
James Lee Hilton, Nocona, was driving a 2019 Harley-Davidson motorcycle and Daniel Parra, Chico, was driving a 2018 Ford Fiesta. Both vehicles were north on State Highway 101 outside Sunset with the motorcycle behind the car.
Parra was attempting to turn left on Farm-to-Market Road 2265 when the motorcyclist attempted to unsafely pass to the left states the report. The bike struck the left side of the Fiesta. Both vehicles came to rest off the roadway on the northwest corner of SH 101 and FM 2265.
Hilton was transported to Denton Medical City with
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