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.
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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