COUNTY LIFE

Grandparents who are parents again, finding much-needed support

Published

9 years ago

02/03/2018

By DANI BLACKBURN
The third Thursday of each month, a group of children can be found singing, playing and doing arts and crafts at the First United Methodist Church in Saint Jo.
This group of little ones has more in common than their enthusiasm for fun. When they all go home for the night, they won’t be tucked into bed by their biological mother and father, but by grandparents or other kin who are caring for these children when their parents no longer can.
Those caregivers are finding support at the Grandparents As Parents “Again,” or GAPA, in Saint Jo.
“You can’t be a grandparent because you have to be a parent to them, and that robs us of being a grandparent,” said Carla, who is raising three grandchildren, including two, four-year-old twins and a nine-year-old.
The group began three years ago when members of the First United Methodist Church of Saint Jo were looking to fulfill a need of the community.
“We discovered there were really a lot of grandparents raising their grandchildren,” said Laurie Martin, one of the founders of GAPA. “We thought it would be a good thing to start a support group to help them. I served on the child welfare board and saw many grandparents in that situation, as well as through my job as a physical therapist in the school system.”

Read the full feature in you weekend Bowie News.

COUNTY LIFE

‘Officer Bob’ retires after 34 years

Published

1 hour ago

11/05/2026

bowienews

Bob Blackburn has fondly been called “Officer Bob,” for many years and it is a moniker he is happy to carry, spending more than 30 years working with the schools through local law enforcement.
Officer Bob has a heart for service he has shared through a total of 34 years in law enforcement, a lengthy career that comes to an end Oct. 30 as he retires after 25 years with the Bowie Police Department. He will continue as a reserve with the BPD and also wants to substitute teach.
“It’s time. I want to enjoy my kids and grandchildren, picking them up at school and going to games. I have loved working here and there has been an honest effort to get me not to retire, but I am in a good spot,” explains Blackburn one week from retirement.

Read the full story in your Thursday Bowie News.

(Top photo – Bob Blackburn hugs Mayor Gaylynn Burris as he receives a Bowie Knife plaque at his retirement party Oct. 30.)

COUNTY LIFE

Councilors approve park path project

Published

2 hours ago

11/05/2026

bowienews

The Bowie City Council approved a $950,000 project to improve the walking path at Pelham Park on Oct. 27.
Bowie Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Janis Crawley said the upcoming project will repave 26,277 square feet of pathway in concrete, spanning about 0.6 miles in length.
The work covers the trail section northeast of the Blade, curving past the soccer fields and toward the swimming pool.
Another section goes around the pool and sport courts, then back down toward the Blade. The project will also widen the trail section to eight feet and add a new 36-foot bridge.

Read the full story in your Thursday Bowie News.

COUNTY LIFE

Veterans Day events set

Published

3 hours ago

11/05/2026

bowienews

Bowie High School will honor veterans at 8:45 a.m. on Nov. 11 in the high school gym. Staff and students invite area veterans to join them for a veteran’s breakfast at 8 a.m. followed by a ceremony where each veteran will be recognized for their service to the country.
Veterans are asked to register at: https://bit.ly/VeteransDay2026RSVP.
The staff of the Montague County Veteran’s Service office is partnering with the American Legion Post 220 for its Veterans Day program at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 at the post home at 801 W. U.S. 82. Veterans and their families are invited to join a complimentary lunch.