COUNTY LIFE
July 4th plans should include mosquito protection
With outdoor activities on the holiday calendar for millions of Texans next week, the Texas Department of State Health Services is reminding everyone to protect themselves from mosquito bites and the diseases they can bring.
The best thing people can do to protect themselves and their families from mosquito-borne diseases like West Nile and Zika is to use insect repellent every time they’re outside. Plus, recent rains across the state mean it’s an important time to dump out standing water around homes and businesses so mosquitoes can’t lay eggs.
Several types of mosquitoes that can transmit disease thrive in Texas. Zika remains a serious threat because it can cause birth defects if women are infected during pregnancy, and West Nile can sicken hundreds of people a year in Texas, resulting in more than 3,500 illnesses and 167 deaths over the last 10 years.
Routine mosquito surveillance has detected West Nile activity this year in the Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, El Paso and Beaumont areas. The state has reported three Zika cases, all acquired while Texas residents were visiting other countries where Zika is being spread.
Some simple steps at home and while traveling will help people protect themselves and their communities from illnesses transmitted by mosquitoes:
- Regularly apply EPA-registered insect repellent while outdoors.
- Dump out all standing water inside and outside homes and businesses; scrub outdoor containers to dislodge mosquito eggs.
- Use air conditioning or make sure window and door screens are in good repair.
- Cover up with long sleeves and long pants to help prevent bites.
“These seem like small actions, but they make a huge difference in keeping people from getting sick or even dying from mosquito-borne diseases,” said DSHS Commissioner Dr. John Hellerstedt. “If individual Texans will take these steps, they will limit the spread of West Nile and prevent Zika from becoming established here.”
People should see their health care provider for possible testing if they experience symptoms of West Nile or Zika. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, an itchy rash, joint pain and eye redness. West Nile virus can cause headache, fever, muscle and joint aches, nausea and fatigue. A more serious form of West Nile disease, in which the virus invades the nervous system, can cause neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness and paralysis.
DSHS has launched a revamped TexasZika.org website with easier-to-access information on Zika cases and precautions, printable prevention materials, and diagnosis and testing guidance for health care providers. Information about West Nile virus is available at TxWestNile.org.
Make plans to enjoy a leisure Saturday in the park at the Music in the Park Festival on June 14 in Bowie’s Pelham Park.
Guests are invited to bring their lawn chairs and set up under the oak trees that fill the park near the amphitheater. This is the second year for this free festival as it expands to a full day hosted by the Bowie Community Center and R&K Sound Company.
The day opens with a 5K run/walk at 8:30 a.m. at the Pelham Park Pavillion. Pre-race warm-up begins at 8:10 a.m. and the race starts at 8:30 a.m. There will be first-third place winners in each age category.
Entry fee is $35 and participants receive a T-shirt. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Clear Choice Pregnancy Resource Center. Enter at the QR code on the Clear Choice Facebook page or email fourseasonsraceseries@gmail.com.
Live accoustic music opens the free festival starting at 11:30 a.m. with Corbin Woolsey, Blake Mangus, Tiffany Chandler, Sara White and Dillon Edwards. Other live music that day will include Bad Daddy Band and Bricktown Band. ZZ Texas, a ZZ Top tribute band will take the stage at 8 p.m. Live music continues until 10 p.m.
There will be food truck vendors, bounce houses (fee) and vendors. Guests are allowed to bring beer in a cooler, but no soda pop or similar drinks. There will be a $5 cooler fee.
Those with questions may call Bonnie at 940-872-4861 or Kenny at 817-704-9847.
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Members of the Nocona Chamber of Commerce celebrated their past year during the annual awards banquet Monday night surrounded by theme of “Roaring ‘20s.”
A beautiful array of tables welcomed guests to the annual event in the H.J. Justin Building in downtown Nocona. Longtime chamber member and local businessman Larry Lemons welcomed the group and shared his tale of the benefits of being in the chamber of commerce in humorous verse.
“If you love seeing deliberate strides in your community,” you may want to be a chamber member. He pointed to the chamber’s efforts to promote the town, welcome visitors and promote business members.
Hobie Meekins of Wells Fargo Bank was named Chamber Citizen of the Year.
Read the full story and see more photos in the Thursday Bowie News.
Top photo: The Carpenter Shop was named Organization of the Year by the Nocona Chamber of Commerce.
For the 12th year in a row Nocona celebrates the automobile with Cruisin’ Nocona on June 6-7 with a slate of events across downtown.
This event, hosted by the Nocona Chamber of Commerce, made the move from May to June in 2025, but the activities remain the same.
The festivities kick off Friday morning with registration and check-in from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the H.J. Justin Building, 100 Clay Street. That will be followed by a breakfast burrito fundraiser (by donation) benefiting Nocona Lucky Paws from 9 to 10 a.m. It is open to everyone, even those not participating in the cruise.
Chamber organizers explained due to state regulations the cruise can no longer be called a “poker run,” but it will contain a “game component” that will have the same spirit of fun as prior events as everyone enjoys the spring countryside. There will be case prizes of $200, $100 and $50 for first, second and third places.
At 11 a.m. the cruise and game begin, followed by a barbecue lunch at 1 p.m. prepared by the Nocona High School BBQ Team, also at the Justin Building. The cruise resumes at 2:20 p.m. and concludes at Nocona Beer at the Brewery by 4:15 p.m., with game winners announced at 4:30 p.m.
The evening wraps up with the Dark of the Moon Lighted Truck Convoy at 8:30 p.m., traveling down Clay Street and back to the brewery.
June 7 begins with a pancake breakfast from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Justin Building, featuring pancakes, sausage, fruit, coffee, and orange juice. The breakfast is by donation and open to anyone in the community, benefiting American Legion Riders Chapter 220.
At 10 a.m. registration opens for the Car, Motorcycle, and Working Truck Show, with judging beginning at 1 p.m. Kids can join the fun during the Power Wheels Races at 2 p.m. (vehicles must be unmodified and child-operated). The awards ceremony begins at 4 p.m. followed by a live concert by Tin Rivers.
Additional highlights on Saturday include local vendors, food trucks, shopping, and the Trucking Thru Time Rolling Truck Museum, making this a full day of fun for all ages.
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