NEWS
DPS cautions Texans to be cautious in school zones, watch for kids
As the new school year begins, the Texas Department of Public Safety cautions Texans to slow down in school zones, and to be aware of children walking to and from school or waiting for buses.
Drivers should be especially alert and careful around school buses, which make frequent stops, and always follow traffic laws regarding school buses and school zones. The start of the school year also generates an increase in overall traffic in many areas, and drivers should take extra precautions.
“With school districts across Texas returning to classes in the coming weeks, DPS is urging drivers to slow down and be alert in school zones and wherever children are present,” said DPS Director Steven McCraw. “Motorists who disregard the law and illegally pass stopped school buses put our schoolchildren in harm’s way – and that reckless and irresponsible behavior will not be tolerated by DPS.”
The moments when students are entering or exiting the bus can be one of the most dangerous times during a child’s trip on a school bus.
Accordingly, DPS reminds drivers to reduce speed and be aware that children may unexpectedly step into a roadway without checking for oncoming traffic.
State law requires that drivers stop when a bus is stopped and operating a visual signal – either red flashing lights or a stop sign. Drivers should not proceed until the school bus resumes motion; the driver is signaled by the bus driver to proceed; or the visual signal is no longer activated.
Approaching drivers do not have to stop for a school bus that is operating a visual signal if the roadway is separated by a physical barrier or an intervening space. If a highway is divided only by a left-turning lane, the roadways are not considered separated, and drivers must stop for school buses.
As a reminder, school buses, by law, must stop at all railroad crossings.
Drivers who illegally pass school buses face fines up to $1,250 for the first offense. For individuals convicted of this offense more than once, the law allows the individual’s driver license to be suspended for up to six months.
A ticket for illegally passing a school bus cannot be dismissed through defensive driving.
Additionally, this offense could potentially include criminal charges if they cause serious bodily injury to another.
Jan. 1, 2025 is the first day of a new elected term for many Montague County officials. There will be a swearing-in ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 1 in the courthouse annex.
The public is invited to attend with refreshments to follow.
Officials being sworn in are: Sheriff Marshall Thomas, County Attorney, Commissioner One Roy Darden, Commissioner Three Mark Murphey, Constables Jerry DeMoss and Harvey Johnson and Tax Assessor Kathy Phillips.
One person was killed in a two-vehicle accident in the early morning hours of Dec. 28 on U.S. 81 (U.S.287) 0.2 miles from Fruitland Road.
Texas of Public Safety officials said the wreck occurred at 5:23 a.m. on Dec. 28 on the highway in front of Camper’s Paradise.
The preliminary investigation showed a 2013 Kia Soul driven by Shelley Gene Jewell, 66, Gainesville, was traveling southbound in the northbound lane of the highway. A second vehicle, a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Jose Noe Vences, 39, Dallas was traveling northbound.
The two vehicles struck head-on. The Soul continued into the center median where it came to rest. The Tahoe rolled onto its top and came to rest across both northbound lanes.
Jewell was pronounced dead at the scene from injuries in the crash. Vences was transported to Medical City Decatur with non-incapacitating injuries. His passenger, Maria Tinico, 42, Dallas, and a six-year-old male minor were not injured, while a passenger, a 12-year-old minor, was transported to Medical City with non-incapacitating injuries. The crash remains under investigation.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
As with your personal lives, looking back on the year reflects all the emotions from excitement and disappointment to fear and sadness.
Montague County experienced all the norms of Texas weather with drought followed up by flooding, and a few tornadoes also blew across the Cross Timbers. Bowie enjoyed almost a year with an emergency room only to be crushed with its close just a few weeks shy of one year. The lead prosecutor for the tri-county 97th District was indicted on two theft charges, which lead to her resignation and a pending trial.
Nocona High School was elated as its Lady Indians competed at the state tournament, while its barbecue teams competed at state and national contests. Bowie also was ecstatic to see the Nelson/Mill Street project completed after some two years of it being closed.
The Bowie News staff went through all of our editions to note the top news and while we could not include every tidbit, we tried to include things that impacted entire communities.
In your mid-week News find a month by month listing of the top news stories and some of our favorite photos.
Top photo- May 29 tornado in the Forestburg area. (Courtesy photo)
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NEWS2 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
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NEWS1 year agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
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NEWS2 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
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NEWS2 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
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NEWS1 year agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
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NEWS2 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
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NEWS2 years agoBowie Police face three-hour standoff after possible domestic fight
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NEWS2 years ago
Driver stopped by a man running into the street, robbed at knifepoint