COUNTY LIFE
Montague County fireworks shows
Montague County will celebrate July 4th with fireworks’ shows on the actual holiday.
The Nocona Lions Club presents its 51st year of fireworks on July 4 at Weldon Robb Park on Lake Nocona. Phil Staley, member of the Lions, said each year they seem to grow and gets brighter than ever.
The Lions ask that citizens do not shoot their personal fireworks off in Weldon Robb Park, but go to Benton Park or Boone Park to avoid any safety issues with the larger fireworks’ show. Fireworks start about dark.
The annual decorated boat floatilla invites participants to take part from 2 to 4 p.m. Boats begin lining at Weldon Robb Park (formerly jaycee Park) and travel around the lake showing their patriotic colors. There is no cost, it’s just for fun.
Saint Jo’s July 4th spectacular begins early in the day with Old Jo’s Firecracker 5K Run. The run starts at 8 a.m. Register at getmeregistered.com. There is a variety of age brackets for both male and female for this certified track run. Chip timing will be available.
There will be onsite registration starting at 6:30 a.m. on the day of the race. Chicken will be from 6:30 to 8 a.m. at the gazebo on the town square.
The fireworks show will be at Boggess Park at dark around 9 p.m. Guests can bring their lawn chairs and blankets for a fun evening.
There will be live music, free watermelon served by the Montague County Child Welfare Board and a concession stand starting at 6 p.m.
The Saint Jo Chamber of Commerce will have its popular homemade ice cream contest the July 4th Freeze-Off at 7:30 p.m. Teams of one to four people are invited to create their favorite recipe and offer it up to the judges.
Winners chose by popular vote and an independent pane of judges will take the cold goodness and then announce the winners. First place wins $100, second place wins $50 and third wins $25. To register call Randie Burton at 995-2964.
The Nocona City Council gave its budget proposal a final once-over before setting a public hearing for it and the proposed tax rate for Sept. 9 at 8 a.m.
Council members also heard from Blake McNew who is against the recently approved fee and registration process for golf carts and related vehicles.
Last month the council approved an ordinance that set forth registration requirements for these vehicles with a $50 registration fee. After several close calls and complaints from downtown business people and citizens on near misses with ATVs and golf carts driving unsafely downtown the council took the step to add the ordinance.
City Secretary Revell Hardison said after some discussion the council asked for it to be back on next month’s agenda with possible consideration for repealing the fee. After some research she added a person can go through the state to obtain a license plate for these vehicles and the local sticker would not be needed.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
The staff of Texas Education Agency on Aug. 14 announced the release of 2026 A-F Accountability Ratings for public school systems and campuses across the state.
Almost all of the school districts in the county saw their district ratings increase or remain consistent, along with some of their campuses.
There were 1,202 districts and 9,105 campuses rated in 2026. Some 24% of both districts and campuses increased in rating compared to 2025.
Read the full story and see all the county ratings in your Thursday Bowie News.
2026 state accountability ratings
Bowie Independent School District – B, 80 of 100 points
Elementary/intermediate – C, 74
Junior high – B, 84
High school – B, 86
Bellevue ISD – A, 92
Forestburg ISD – B, 82
Gold-Burg ISD – C, 76
Montague ISD – A, 93
Nocona ISD – B, 86
Elementary – B, 80
Middle school – C, 79
High school – A, 94
Prairie Valley ISD – B, 88
Saint Jo ISD – B, 82
Elementary – D, 66
High school – A, 92
Friends of the Bowie Animal Shelter will host the annual Clear the Shelter event from 8 a.m. to noon on Aug. 22.
The shelter is located at 1508 E. Wise. While this is a nationwide effort to recognize the work of animal shelters, their staff and volunteers, this also is a chance to support their efforts by attending the bake sale, silent auction and food vendors.
Adoptable dogs from the Bowie shelter as well as Easy Street Shelter of Saint Jo, Lucky Paws in Nocona and McCares of Montague will be present.
If your family is considering adopting a pet this would be a great time to visit with the animals and meet the volunteers who can tell you a bit about the animals. Prospective volunteers also are welcome, so ask your questions.
Staff from Cross Timbers Vet will be giving reduced price vaccinations.
There will be a prize drawing at noon for a bounce house and a Turtle Box speaker. Tickets are $5 each for a chance to win either prize. Drawing at noon.
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