NEWS
Burn ban tabled as rains green up area; budget debates continue
By BARBARA GREEN
Thanks to recent rains that have “greened up” the county, Montague County Commissioners declined to implement a ban on outdoor burning Monday tabling the ban for consideration at the next meeting.
Commissioner Mark Murphey, also a Nocona volunteer firefighter, said the county is below the drought level in the KBDI due to the recent rainfall. A check of the index shows a range of 600-700 in the southern part of the county to 400-500 in the northwest, plus a small patch of green in the 300-400 range. The index has a maximum of 800 for full drought.
Murphey also said he talked to five local fire chiefs and all but one agreed they don’t need a ban at this time although it should be closely monitored. Commissioner Bob Langford said a little more than a week ago it looked like things were heading toward a ban with the triple-digit temperatures and no rain. Since that time rains ranging from one to four inches across the county have fallen creating improved conditions. The ban was tabled.
The court breezed through an agenda of mostly routine business before going into a budget workshop.
Sheriff Marshall Thomas provided a update on the six-month old K-9 program with Deputy Chase Pelton and Ace. The K-9 team has seen 35 deployments and made 38 arrests.
The district attorney also had her request to have Kevin Benton come work part-time at her office to wrap a few investigations he has been spearheading before he takes over at justice of the peace in the new year. A lengthy round of budgets hearings also were conducted.
Read the full story in the mid-week News.
Signs 1,155 Bills, Vetoes 26 Bills For 89th Regular Legislative Session
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today announced the final list of 1,155 bills signed into law and 26 bills vetoed from the 89th Regular Legislative Session. Governor Abbott’s veto statements may be viewed here and here. The Governor also announced he will call a Special Session to begin on Monday, July 21, along with an initial list of agenda items.
“Working with the Texas Legislature, we delivered results that will benefit Texans for generations to come,” said Governor Abbott. “Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Dustin Burrows, and the Texas House and Senate worked hard to send critical legislation to my desk. This session has seen monumental success, but there is more we can do.”
All seven of Governor Abbott’s emergency items passed the Texas Legislature and were signed into law:
- Property Tax Relief
- Generational Investment in Water
- Raise Teacher Pay
- Expand Career Training
- School Choice
- Bail Reform
- Creation of the Texas Cyber Command
Additionally, Governor Abbott:
- Signed 1,155 bills
- Vetoed 26 bills
- Signed the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act and the Supplemental Budget
At this time, the Governor has identified several bills that were vetoed or filed without signature that will be placed on the upcoming Special Session agenda for further consideration:
- Senate Bill 3: Relating to the regulation of products derived from hemp, including consumable hemp products and the hemp-derived cannabinoids contained in those products.
- Senate Bill 648: Relating to recording requirements for certain instruments concerning real property.
- Senate Bill 1253: Relating to impact and production fees for certain water projects and to the regulation of certain wells; authorizing a fee.
- Senate Bill 1278: Relating to an affirmative defense to prosecution for victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution.
- Senate Bill 1758: Relating to the operation of a cement kiln and the production of aggregates near a semiconductor wafer manufacturing facility.
- Senate Bill 2878: Relating to the operation and administration of and practices and procedures related to proceedings in the judicial branch of state government.
On Friday city officials reported the intersection at Rock and Pillar was closed due to a sinkhole in the street. This area has been experiencing major drainage problems for many years damaging culverts and the street asphalt and concrete, with a portion of the street collapsing earlier in the spring. Drivers should avoid this area.
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