By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Bowie City Councilors approved the first reading of an ordinance for new water rates Tuesday night, following months of debate over first rate change for water since 2018.
The residential customer in the city limits uses on average 2,000 to 3,000 gallons of water per month, and under the new rates will see an increase from $5 to $7.50 a month. This water rate proposal was different from the previous offerings as it adjusted usage, not the base rate or adding any new fees.
This approval came on the heels of a workshop on March 4 where the council members learned more about pending infrastructure needs at the water plant including a new raw water pump and upgrades to the plant as it nears 85% capacity.
Public Works Director Stony Lowrance and Plant Director Jerry Sutton last week told the council the pump is already a mandate from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and has to be done; however, the plant is operating at about 80% capacity. When it hits 85% the city will have to undertaken plans to expand to meet the larger capacity.

Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.

Barbara Cundiff succumbed to critical injuries she received when her home near Bonita exploded and burned on Feb. 22.
Montague County Sheriff Marshall Thomas said he was informed of the 75-year-old’s passing on Feb. 28. Barbara and Donald Cundiff lived in a beautiful home located at 4200 Farm-to-Market Road 1815 east of Nocona.
It was believed a possible propane explosion was the cause of the fire on Feb. 21. Donald was in the living room when he heard an explosion that blew out the back of the house. He found his wife laying in the kitchen and he was able to drag her out of the house.
A helicopter was called to the scene to transport Barbara to Parkland Hospital where she was treated for her injuries. Donald was transported to Nocona General Hospital where he was treated and released for burns on his face, hands and arms.
Bowie Fire Chief Doug Page has been investigating the fire examining the scene and interviewing witnesses at the scene. Officials from the Texas Railroad Commission also were called in to investigate possible propane leaks, and they await that report.
Page said no final determination of the cause has been made, although it appears to have been an accident. SO Investigator Ryan Blackburn stated the same indicating he still has some work to do on the case.

By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
A Bowie woman advocating for the safety of children was scheduled to appear before a Texas House Committee on House Bill 908 on March 12.
Glenda Durham planned to testify in before the House Homeland Security, Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs Committee when it met at 10:30 a.m. While she is only allowed three minutes, Durham is passionate about this bill sponsored by District 68 Rep. David Spiller.
A longtime educator and administrator, Durham explains HB 908 addresses the problem of law enforcement refusing to do a missing child report immediately and reporting it to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.