NEWS
Coaches drawn to Bowie schools, AD calls them ‘one big family’
By ERIC VICCARO
Bowie athletic director Dylan Stark has helped foster a strong athletic program with talented coaches.
It’s another one of the ways, we are “building a better Bowie.”
“I feel like it’s a great place to work,” said Stark, who has been athletic director for more than half a decade. “We have really good kids, and there’s not a lot of turnover.”
Stark also credited Bowie’s facilities with helping attract coaches to the community, which were built through passage of a bond issue in the late-2000s.
“I want a place where people enjoy their job,” Stark said.
The current coaching staff has built longstanding lifetime relationships with each other.
Quentin Berend was working as a coach in the Alvord Independent School District when he received a call from Stark, who he knew from Windthorst.
“I knew it would be good to work with him,” said Berend, who serves as Bowie’s offensive coordinator and powerlifting coach.
Read the full Build a Better Bowie feature in the mid-week News.
NEWS
Commissioners return unspent state grant funds
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Montague County Commissioner’s Court reluctantly returned money to the state connected to Senate Bill 22 in fiscal 2024.
During Monday’s regular session, County Auditor Charley Lanier explained the three transactions. SB 22 provided funding for prosecutor offices to assist with paying staff, and in the sheriff’s office for staff and equipment.
If all the money was not spent it had to be returned. Lanier explained the fund was approved in 2024, but it arrived after the fiscal year began and commissioners did not want to spend any of until the funds actually arrived in county coffers.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
NEWS
Saint Jo Council calls November election
The Saint Jo City Council had a brief meeting on June 17.
The 2026-27 budgets for appraisal and tax collections from the Montague County Tax Appraisal District were approved. The tax collection budget faces a 3.71% increase and 2.2% in the appraisal budget.
The city’s payment for tax collections will go from $1,305 for the year down slightly from $1,445 last year. The appraisal portion for Saint Jo will be $9,526, up from $9,361 in 2026.
A municipal election for Nov. 3 was called. Places open on the ballot will be mayor, and the places filled by Melissa McPherson and Jack Dunn, who was appointed to fill out a term.
The council approved a resolution to apply for grants for water infra structure improvements through the Texas Water Development Board. The city is working with engineers from Corlett, Probst and Boyd of Wichita Falls on a proposed project.
NEWS
Sports, cookoff, barrels kick off Jim Bowie Days
The 60th anniversary Jim Bowie Days Celebration opened on June 20th with a full day of activities focusing on sports and a barbecue cookoff.
Festivities continue throughout the week highlight by rodeo, youth rodeo, kid’s activities and Pioneer Court. The second annual Smokedown BBQ Cookout began on Friday night with the steak and beans contests. Three other categories for chicken ribs and brisket followed on Saturday. There were 27 teams, four more than last year.
Conducted by Outlaw BBQ, the grand champion was Vinny McNamara, with 36 points. Steve Cumbie was reserve grand champion with 26 points.
Read about all the weekend’s winners complete with many photos in your Thursday Bowie News.
Top photo – The first annual pickleball tourney drew 17 teams. Teams greet each other before they start play (Photo by Barbara Green0

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