NEWS
Saving local businesses county banks help with PPP
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Montague County small business owners are taking advantage of the Coronavirus Paycheck Protection Program receiving and anticipating loans to help pay their employees until they are able to return to some semblance of normal working conditions.
A new block of funding, $480 billion, has been approved by the Senate and House this week and could come into play as soon as next week. The new package includes $310 billion for PPP with $250 billion refilling the program and $60 billion set aside specifically for smaller institutions like credit unions and community banks.
Across the nation’s main streets the mom and pop shops, diners, hair dressers and others have had to close temporarily, lay off or release employees creating unprecedented unemployment in the county. In Texas alone more than 300,000 unemployment claims have been filed.
A National Federation of Business Research Center survey showed 92 percent of small employers are negatively impacted by the virus outbreak. Almost all small employers are now impacted by economic disruptions from COVID-19 with only five percent stating they are not currently affected. That could change if it continues to spread and businesses remain closed.
Read the full story in your weekend News on how area banks are responding to their small business customers need to apply for federal assistance related to COVID-19.

NEWS
Bowie receives ‘healthy’ 2024-25 audit
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
The Bowie City Council was told the city is in “solid financial shape with no irregularities,” when the 2024-25 outside audit was presented Tuesday night.
Valerie Halverson of MWH Group of Wichita Falls presented the annual audit report.
During the year the city’s total net position increased by $3,015,149. The fund balance was $5,882,361, which is a decrease of $376,670 from the prior year. Of this amount, $4,898,701 is available for spending at the government’s discretion (unassigned fund balance) and $766,945 is restricted by outside agencies for specific purposes.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
NEWS
Petition seeks change within alcohol sales requirements
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Cody House has picked up his petitions and began gathering names to request an election that could allow for the sale of alcoholic beverages without food service requirements.
Bowie may have been “wet” since hotly contested elections in 2011, those sales came with restrictions based on the type of food or beverage license an owner maintains and local code. House explained one license requires a 51/49% split, requiring 51% of sales must come from something other than alcohol sales such as food or other items sold in the business.
House wants to create an entertainment venue in Bowie without food requirements and says he is “not interested in a venue that has to compete with a full restaurant.”
House picked up the petitions Monday and by lunch gathered more than 100 signatures.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
NEWS
Congressman’s staff to visit Bowie, Bellevue
Staff from the office of Congressman Ronny Jackson (TX-13) announced upcoming mobile office hours for March in Knox City, Crowell, Bowie, Dumas, Bellevue and Spearman hosted by congressional staff.
Constituents are encouraged to attend if they need assistance with a federal agency or to learn more about the office’s services. Please bring all documentation if you require assistance with a federal agency case. No appointment is necessary. Additional questions should be directed to Congressman Jackson’s Amarillo office at (806) 641-5600.
The staff will be in Bowie at city hall 307 N. Mason from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 16.
The staff will be in Bellevue at the Bellevue Fire Department, 509 Franklin from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 17.
They will be in Dumas on March 16 and Spearman on March 18.
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