NEWS
Fire victim identities finally confirmed
The Montague County Sheriff’s Department reports the identity of two people killed in a mobile home fire in early January has been confirmed by the medical examiner along with the cause of death stemming from the blaze.
Chief Deputy Chris Hughes said Thursday he received confirmation the people who died in the fire were Jimmy Taylor, 32, and his three-year-old son Preston.
The extensive examination was conducted by the Southwest Institute of Forensic Science.
The house fire occurred on the afternoon of Jan. 5 at 175 Gate Street near Lake Amon G. Carter. A single-wide mobile home was engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived and was quickly devoured by it.
The bodies were discovered in a back bedroom. While law enforcement felt confident it was the Taylors, Sheriff Marshall Thomas said he would not release the names until it was confirmed.
Cause of the fire was investigated by the arson task force, which determine an electric space heater in the living room was the origin of the fire. Sheriff Thomas said it appears to have been a tragic accident.
NEWS
Commissioners to meet on Dec. 23
Montague County Commissioners will meet at 9 a.m. on Dec. 23.
The court will consider obligating $276,961.84 of American Rescue Plan funds to completing the new wastewater treatment plant that will serve the courthouse complex. Commissioners have been working on this project much of the year.
Montague County will apply to the Nortex Regional Planning Commission for a solid waste disposal grant to purchase a tire cutter for use by all four precincts.
Developers for Kingdom Estates Phase 2 subdivision will offer a plant for lots 6-10, 16.06 acres located in precinct two.
A cooperative agreement between Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the county will be presented, along with a non-exclusive license and service agreement between Local Government Solutions and Justices of the Peace one and two.
Annual bonds for seven elected officials will be offered, along with the county attorney’s 2024 Chapter 59 Asset Forfeiture report.
NEWS
New storm shelter grants available
Montague County has received a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist individuals with the purchase and installation of a residential storm shelter.
The shelter must be FEMA-approved and individuals must install and pay for the shelter. After installation and passing an inspection, the individual could be eligible for 50% reimbursement of the cost of the storm shelter up to a maximum $3,000 reimbursement.
The initial program allows for financial assistance for the installation of up to 100 storm shelters. Visit the Montague County website at co.montague.tx.us and click on “Safe Room Program,” and under quick links to see the qualifications and requirements for participation in the program.
There is no deadline to apply, but only 100 applicants will be accepted
COUNTY LIFE
First day of winter arrives
It’s here, the first day of winter marked by the winter solstice at 4:21 a.m. on Dec. 21.
The winter solstice is the day with the fewest hours of sunlight throughout the year, making it the “shortest day” of the year. Thankfully, after the winter solstice the days begin to grow longer and longer again and until the summer solstice, the first day of summer and the longest day of the year
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NEWS2 years ago
2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
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NEWS1 year ago
Suspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
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NEWS2 years ago
SO investigating possible murder/suicide
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NEWS2 years ago
Wreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
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NEWS1 year ago
Murder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
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NEWS2 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
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NEWS2 years ago
Bowie Police face three-hour standoff after possible domestic fight
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NEWS2 years ago
Driver stopped by a man running into the street, robbed at knifepoint