COUNTY LIFE
Bowie crisis center serves growing need in county
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
The national statistics are startling.
Every 107 seconds someone (female or male) is sexually assaulted in the United States.
Ninety-one percent of all rapes are never reported.
Four out of five sexual assaults are committed by someone known to the victim.
One out of three females and one out of five males will be sexually assaulted at some point in their life.
April has been National Sexual Assault Awareness Month and the local staff from Wise Hope Shelter and Crisis Center have been out in the community educating and informing people of the need and the services.
Large teal bows can be seen around town with information on the center, while a display of shoes from sexual assault victims at a local restaurant has made people stop and think, at least for a moment.
Ginger Johnson, community bilingual advocate
Johnson, who makes her home in Bowie, has worked with Wise Hope the past 12 and a half years. In March the Bowie office celebrated its one year anniversary. Tracy Mooningham also works as a bilingual advocate. They say the response has been tremendous from the community
as well as those who are in need.
For six years the center manned an office in Bowie at the Pregnancy Resource Center, but it was slow going with the limited time in town. The availability of a manned office five days a week has made a difference.
“We anticipated it would be slower, but we have had a lot of people coming in. Since I live here my friends have told others and we also have put up fliers and went out to talk to clubs and students. Child Protective Services also has referred a lot,” said Johnson.
Read the full feature in your weekend Bowie News.
Bob Blackburn has fondly been called “Officer Bob,” for many years and it is a moniker he is happy to carry, spending more than 30 years working with the schools through local law enforcement.
Officer Bob has a heart for service he has shared through a total of 34 years in law enforcement, a lengthy career that comes to an end Oct. 30 as he retires after 25 years with the Bowie Police Department. He will continue as a reserve with the BPD and also wants to substitute teach.
“It’s time. I want to enjoy my kids and grandchildren, picking them up at school and going to games. I have loved working here and there has been an honest effort to get me not to retire, but I am in a good spot,” explains Blackburn one week from retirement.
Read the full story in your Thursday Bowie News.
(Top photo – Bob Blackburn hugs Mayor Gaylynn Burris as he receives a Bowie Knife plaque at his retirement party Oct. 30.)
The Bowie City Council approved a $950,000 project to improve the walking path at Pelham Park on Oct. 27.
Bowie Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Janis Crawley said the upcoming project will repave 26,277 square feet of pathway in concrete, spanning about 0.6 miles in length.
The work covers the trail section northeast of the Blade, curving past the soccer fields and toward the swimming pool.
Another section goes around the pool and sport courts, then back down toward the Blade. The project will also widen the trail section to eight feet and add a new 36-foot bridge.
Read the full story in your Thursday Bowie News.
Bowie High School will honor veterans at 8:45 a.m. on Nov. 11 in the high school gym. Staff and students invite area veterans to join them for a veteran’s breakfast at 8 a.m. followed by a ceremony where each veteran will be recognized for their service to the country.
Veterans are asked to register at: https://bit.ly/VeteransDay2026RSVP.
The staff of the Montague County Veteran’s Service office is partnering with the American Legion Post 220 for its Veterans Day program at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 at the post home at 801 W. U.S. 82. Veterans and their families are invited to join a complimentary lunch.
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