COUNTY LIFE
Unique hobby turns helpful during emergencies
By DANI BLACKBURN
Montague County amateur radio operators travel all around the world without leaving home through a unique hobby that combines technology and communication.
Radios allow operators to communicate with each other across the county or strangers across the world along with providing emergency communications and weather spotting when needed.
The Montague County Amateur Radio Club was formed in January 2014. The club was born out of disaster when an F1 tornado ripped through the Amon G. Carter Lake area in May 2013 with no warning to the residents.
“Nobody said anything, no one was watching, including the weather service. It just happened,” said MCARC President Alan Walraven. “A friend said hey, you have an amateur radio how come we didn’t hear anything about this? I said well it’s not going to happen again.”
Eight charter members organized the club with a strong belief there was a necessity for it in this area.
“We felt a real need for it, certainly in the county. It seems like towns and cities can take care of themselves, but there’s no one out here watching the rural part,” said Walraven.
Read the full feature in your weekend News.
Alan Walraven sits at his “ham” radio system He is president of the Montague County Amateur Radio Club. (Courtesy photo)
The Montague County Commissioner’s Court will meet at 9 a.m. on Oct. 12 in the County Courtroom at the Courthouse Annex in Montague.
Commissioners are scheduled to consider issuing a proclamation declaring October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month within Montague County.
The court also will consider accepting $850 in unanticipated revenue for the sheriff’s office generated during National Night Out activities, alongside interlocal cooperation contracts between the Texas Department of Public Safety and Justices of the Peace for Precincts 1 and 2.
An executive session is scheduled to discuss personnel matters pertaining to sewer/septic inspector for the county. Any action would be taken back in open session.
The Oct. 9-11 Art of the Song Music and Art Festival opens Friday night for three days of art and entertainment in downtown Nocona.
The festival opens on Oct. 9 with a Chisholm Trail Art Association Preview Party from 5 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 9 at the H.J. Justin Building.
Come see all the entries for the adult show, which formally opens at 10 a.m. on Oct. 10.
Live music will be played by Full Circle Band.
Also on Oct. 9 enjoy a Nocona Nights Street Dance from 7 to 9 p.m. with the Mark Murphey and Highway 82 Band. Cost is $10 per ticket and $200 for a table seating eight. Bring your lawn chairs.
Read the full schedule of events for the festival in your Thursday Bowie News.
These students are nominees for the 2026 homecoming court at Gold-Burg High School. Homecoming royals will be crowned in pre-game ceremonies before the Bears take on Throckmorton at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 9. Pictured are: Freshmen: Kenzley Foster and Jackson Allen, freshmen; Yareli Aguirre and Jojuan Grace, sophomores; Zara Andrade, junior and Brayden Odom, Kaylie Duncan, both seniors. Not pictured: Caleb Epperson, junior and Keelyn Case, senior.
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