NEWS
DPS ramps up holiday enforcement
AUSTIN – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) is joining law enforcement efforts across the state this Memorial Day weekend to help keep Texas roadways safe and encourage motorists to practice safe driving habits. From Friday, May 25, through Monday, May 28, DPS Troopers will be on the lookout for intoxicated drivers, and drivers violating speed limit, seat belt and other traffic laws.
“Memorial Day pays tribute to those who have given their lives to serve and protect our country, and what better way to honor them than to protect your fellow drivers by making safety a priority every time you get behind the wheel,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “By driving sober, wearing your seat belt, obeying traffic laws and using extra caution, you can help prevent senseless tragedies. DPS will join other law enforcement agencies in Texas to do our part to keep travelers and our roadways safe this Memorial Day holiday.”
During the 2017 Memorial Day holiday weekend, DPS Troopers issued nearly 60,000 citations and warnings, including more than 1,000 seat belt and child safety restraint tickets. DPS enforcement efforts also resulted in 372 DWI arrests, 251 fugitive arrests and 190 felony arrests.
DPS also supports the state’s “Click It or Ticket” enforcement campaign, which runs through June 3. Now in its 16th year, “Click It or Ticket” encourages drivers and passengers to comply with state seat belt laws.
Drivers can take a variety of measures to enhance safety on our roads this Memorial Day weekend, including:
- Do not drink and drive. Make alternate travel plans if you are consuming alcohol.
- Slow down – especially in bad weather, construction areas, heavy traffic and unfamiliar areas.
- Eliminate distractions while driving, including the use of mobile devices. Texas law prohibits using a portable wireless device to read, write or send an electronic message unless the vehicle is stopped.
- Buckle up everyone in the vehicle – it’s the law.
- Slow down or move over for police, fire, EMS and Texas Department of Transportation vehicles and tow trucks stopped on the side of the road with emergency lights activated – it’s the law. Also, show the same courtesy to fellow drivers stopped along the road.
- Drive defensively, as holiday travel may present additional challenges.
- Don’t drive fatigued – allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
- If you see a road hazard or if you observe anything suspicious, report it to the nearest law enforcement agency.
- Before your trip begins, make sure your vehicle is properly maintained and always double check to make sure all cargo is secure.
- Monitor weather and road conditions wherever you are traveling. In the event of inclement weather, use extra caution on roadways and be aware of your surroundings. For road conditions in Texas, visit https://drivetexas.org.
Members of the Bowie Independent School District Board of Trustees will meet at 5:30 p.m. on June 16.
The big item on the agenda is the review of superintendent candidate applications and consider possible interview choice. Superintendent Blake Enlow resigned on May 23 and Assistant Superintendent Lee Ann Farris has been serving as the interim.
That item will be in executive session along with professional educator contracts that need to be considered.
On the regular agenda Farris will update the board on education bills passed by the 89th Texas Legislature and their budget impacts, as well as discipline impacts. A budget workshop will be considered. She also will provide information on state assessment and board goals.
Campus administrators and directors will provide updates, along with the finance director.
In action items the board will review Texas Association of School Board update 124, consider changes to the 12-month and 11 employee dates and consider the purchase of a new band trailer not to exceed $80,000.
Due to the June 19 Juneteenth federal holiday the U.S. Post Office will be closed, which moves then Thursday Bowie News to a delivery date on Friday. It will be available in the stores at its regular time.
As of June 9 details on why an appeal bond was revoked on Casey Hall which prompted her arrest in Sulphur Springs on June 2 remain unclear.
The former 97th District Attorney was convicted of misapplication of fiduciary property and theft by a public servant on May 13 in the 16th District Court in Denton County.
The jury gave her a sentence of one year in state jail for misapplication of fiduciary property and six years probation for theft by a public servant.
The 38-year-old Hall was booked into the Hopkins County Jail on June 2 on a warrant after a Denton County judge revoked the appeal bond that was $10,000.
Hall filed her intent to appeal the conviction and sentence, so after posting a $10,000 bond, she was released on May 14 instead of beginning her sentence.
Denton County Court records indicated on June 2 Judge Sherry Shipman, who presided in the trial, declared Hall’s bond insufficient and a warrant was issued for her arrest.
There were rumors Hall may have opted to drop her appeal, but that information has not been confirmed through the court. As of June 9 Hall remained booked into the Hopkins County Jail.
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