COUNTY LIFE
Industrial technology center almost completed at NCTC-Bowie
By BARBARA GREEN
Construction on the new industrial technology center at North Central Texas College Bowie is almost complete and will soon be ready to starting training students in an array of technological programs.
A grand opening will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on April 6, with the formal dedication ceremony at noon.
Janis Crawley, executive director of the 4B Corporation, said the building is almost complete and some of the equipment is already being set into place. During the grand opening, classes will be underway allowing guests to see the operations in real time.
The ITC is a project of the Bowie 4B Sales Tax Corporation, that financed and maintained the Bowie campus building. Ground was broken in July 2017 after two years of planning by the 4B board and NCTC who have worked closely to develop an industrial technology program that can serve the needs of the Montague County area.
Bowie’s center will be 8,700-square feet slightly smaller than the 10,000-square foot ITC opened in March 2016 at the Gainesville campus.
Read the full story on the future plans and other economic development activities in the mid-week News.

Exterior of the new ITC building. (Photo by Barbara Green)
COUNTY LIFE
‘Officer Bob’ retires after 34 years
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
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
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.
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