COUNTY LIFE
CASA recruiting Montague County citizens
Child Advocates – CASA of Red River will present 101 information lunch and evening meetings on Oct. 15 in both Bowie and Nocona recruiting volunteers.
Child Advocates/CASA serves children from Montague County who are placed in foster care because of abuse and neglect. Once in care, these children may stay in care for up to 18 months, and they need someone who is willing to be their support and their voice in court.
That is exactly what CASA does. It trains committed community members to become Court Appointed Special Advocates or CASAs. An advocate’s job is to get to know the child and their needs, and to speak to everyone who is helping that child. Then they report this information to the Judge and represent what is in that child’s best interest.
If you are interested in learning more about what it takes to help our children and become a CASA volunteer, then attend this meeting at noon Oct. 15 in Nocona at the Church of Christ, 311 Cooke St or at 6 p..m. in Bowie at the children’s center, 506 Hulme St.
Montague County has approximately 100 children in care each year, but there are only 21 CASA volunteers from the community to serve them. The need is great, reports Outreach Coordinator Lorra Lierly.
These are informational meetings with no commitments required.Volunteer training classes will be starting in late October. RSVP to Lorra Lierly at 940-867-4483. If you can’t attend, but are still interested in learning about becoming a CASA volunteer, call Lierly at the above number.
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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