NEWS
Party primary runoff early voting begins Wednesday
Early voting for the July 14 party primary runoff election begins June 29 and continues through July 10.
Ballots may be cast in only one location for early voting in the Montague County Annex Community Room in Montague. It will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Fridays only. It will be closed July 3.
Voters have a total of six races to decide. The winners will face off against the other primary winners in the November general election.
You do not have to have voted in the March election to vote in the runoff; however, if you did vote, you must vote in the same party runoff.
That specific party affiliation is retained by a voter for one year.
On the Democratic ticket there are three races. Mary “MJ” Megar and Royce West faceoff for the United States Senate seat.
For the District 13 Congressional seat, Gus Trujillo and Greg Sagan are battling it out. Chrysta Castaneda and Roberto R. “Beto” Alonzo are the candidates for railroad commission.
On the Republican ballot Ronny Jackson and Josh Winegarner are battling to take District 13’s congressional seat. For Justice, 2nd Court of Appeals District, Place 7 has Brian Walker and Elizabeth Beach on the ticket.
Election day voting will be set up in Montague, Bowie, Nocona and Saint Jo.
NEWS
Commissioners return unspent state grant funds
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Montague County Commissioner’s Court reluctantly returned money to the state connected to Senate Bill 22 in fiscal 2024.
During Monday’s regular session, County Auditor Charley Lanier explained the three transactions. SB 22 provided funding for prosecutor offices to assist with paying staff, and in the sheriff’s office for staff and equipment.
If all the money was not spent it had to be returned. Lanier explained the fund was approved in 2024, but it arrived after the fiscal year began and commissioners did not want to spend any of until the funds actually arrived in county coffers.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
NEWS
Saint Jo Council calls November election
The Saint Jo City Council had a brief meeting on June 17.
The 2026-27 budgets for appraisal and tax collections from the Montague County Tax Appraisal District were approved. The tax collection budget faces a 3.71% increase and 2.2% in the appraisal budget.
The city’s payment for tax collections will go from $1,305 for the year down slightly from $1,445 last year. The appraisal portion for Saint Jo will be $9,526, up from $9,361 in 2026.
A municipal election for Nov. 3 was called. Places open on the ballot will be mayor, and the places filled by Melissa McPherson and Jack Dunn, who was appointed to fill out a term.
The council approved a resolution to apply for grants for water infra structure improvements through the Texas Water Development Board. The city is working with engineers from Corlett, Probst and Boyd of Wichita Falls on a proposed project.
NEWS
Sports, cookoff, barrels kick off Jim Bowie Days
The 60th anniversary Jim Bowie Days Celebration opened on June 20th with a full day of activities focusing on sports and a barbecue cookoff.
Festivities continue throughout the week highlight by rodeo, youth rodeo, kid’s activities and Pioneer Court. The second annual Smokedown BBQ Cookout began on Friday night with the steak and beans contests. Three other categories for chicken ribs and brisket followed on Saturday. There were 27 teams, four more than last year.
Conducted by Outlaw BBQ, the grand champion was Vinny McNamara, with 36 points. Steve Cumbie was reserve grand champion with 26 points.
Read about all the weekend’s winners complete with many photos in your Thursday Bowie News.
Top photo – The first annual pickleball tourney drew 17 teams. Teams greet each other before they start play (Photo by Barbara Green0

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