COUNTY LIFE
Groundhog hopes to send winter packing
Saturday update – In a Groundhog Day update, Punxsutawney Phil apparently did not see his shadow this morning in Pennsylvania so Spring could arrive early. Thanks Phil we hope you are right.
The National Weather Service predicts Groundhog Day on Feb. 2 will be mostly sunny with a high near 31 degrees in Punxsutawney, PA, home of Phil the groundhog.
As the northeastern United States was enveloped with a “polar vortex” this week, everyone wants to know if Phil, will give the good word that winter will be leaving early.
The Groundhog Day tradition derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition if a groundhog emerging from its burrow on the Feb. 2 sees his shadow due to clear weather it will retreat to its den and will persist six more weeks. If it does not see its shadow due to cloudiness, spring will arrive early.
While Groundhog Day is popular folklore and Punxsutawney has capitalized on it for an annual festival, there is no correlation between the groundhog seeing its shadow or not and the arrival or spring.
The National Climatic Data Center compared U.S. national temperatures from 1988 to 2012 to determine the accuracy of Phil’s predictions, and he’s only been proven correct 39 percent of the time – significantly worse than chance.
See the last 10 years of predictions in your weekend News.
Montague County Commissioner’s Court will meet at 9 a.m. on Nov. 25.
Members will consider an anti-fraud policy and adding it to the personnel policy. The annual liability renewal with the Texas Association of Counties Risk Pool will be reviewed.
Montague County officials will be enrolling in the TAC 2025 certified cybersecurity course required by the state for all employees who use county computers.
Other topics for Monday will include the bond for the county treasurer, review an account application with Schad & Pulte Welding Supply, Inc and consider raising the road hand clothing allowance from $500 to $1,000.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
It was family night for the City of Bowie Fire Department as members gathered for the annual pre-Thanksgiving awards dinner this week.
Firefighter of the Year awards, service awards and officers and firefighters were pinned with their new badges.
Fire Chief Doug Page opened the evening with a remembrance of a fallen firefighter, James Dunham who died 25 years ago on Nov. 18. This Saint Jo firefighter was responding to a car accident at Forestburg and after he arrived suffered a heart attack. Page noted his daughter is auxiliary member Renee Hart.
Chad Long, member of the department for one year and one month received the Firefighter of the Year Award. Kelly Tomlin, nine-year member, was selected by the volunteers to receive the Roy Gene Williams Award.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
Top photo- New lieutenants Michael Burrows and Chad Gerlach received the oath from Mayor Gaylynn Burris. (Photo by Barbara Green)
The new Montague County Animal Rescue, which will be helping with operation of the new county animal shelter, invite you to “Wine Like A Dog” on Dec. 3 at Kimber Creek Wine Bar and Gift Shop in downtown Bowie.
The evening will include wine and charcuterie from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., while raising funds for the rescue organization. Tickets are $50.
Melanie Gillespie of Montague County Animal Rescue said the new 501c3 has completed its agreement to work with Montague County operating the animal shelter.
“Your support enables us to launch the opening of the first county-run animal shelter. We invite you to join our mission of rescuing, rehabilitating and finding loving homes for animals in need,” said Gillespie.
Limited tickets will be offered at the door based on availability. Those with questions may call Gillespie at 469-951-0215 or email [email protected].
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