COUNTY LIFE
Forestburg Watermelon Festival, Riding Club Rodeo kicks off
Forestburg, one of Montague County’s oldest communities, celebrates the “Gift of family,” as the theme for the 38th annual Forestburg Watermelon Festival on Aug. 11.
Presented by the Forestburg Community Service Club the festival offers activities for the entire family. The Forestburg Riding Club also presents its two-night rodeo Aug. 10-11 in conjunction with the festival.
The day opens with vendor booths providing a variety of items from which to shop on Saturday morning.
Montague County Veteran’s Services will have an outreach from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. to assist any veterans and their families with obtaining benefits.
A Country Kitchen and Crafts Store will open at 9 a.m. at LifeChurch2:42. The popular salsa contest returns. To participate just bring a minimum of two pints of homemade salsa to the location before 10:30 a.m. to enter the contest. The winner will be selected by popular vote, so make sure and to stop in for a taste and vote.
Also don’t miss a free slice of the sweet and juicy local watermelon. You also can purchase homemade ice cream in a variety of flavors in front of the Forestburg Methodist Church.
Official events start at 10:30 a.m. with a parade leaving from the school parking lot and traveling through downtown. To submit an entry in the parade, email forestburgwf@gmail.com or call or text Charley Lanier at 214-449-8737.
After the parade enjoy a barbecue lunch of brisket, pork loin, vegetables, dessert and drink prepared and served by local cooks will be at the community center. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for age 12 and under.
The Forestburg Riding Club presents the “Biggest Little Rodeo in Texas” on Aug. 11-12.
Rodeo events start with mutton bustin’ at 8 p.m. each night, followed by the rodeo events at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for kids.
The 2017 Forestburg Rodeo Queen Kaylee Choate will pass her crown to one of three candidates: Cheyenne Smith, Cassidy Wilson or Madison Braden. The 2017 Princess Kate Dill will pass her crown to the sole princess contestant Ainsley Goodin.
Read the full story in the mid-week News.
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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