COUNTY LIFE
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Home is where your story begins. You may travel far and wide, but there is always a tether to the place you were born and raised, especially if it is a place you love.
William “Billy” Nabours was 21 when he left his family farm in Montague to serve in the Air Force during World War II, and while he never really came back home to make his life he always anchored himself here with family and his love of the small hamlet.
Billy was 17 years old before his youngest brother, Jack was born, but through the years they became and remain close. In more recent times brother Jack has been able to learn more about his family thanks to the tales Billy has shared through his letters. Jack took some of that information, along with other family stories and wrote a book in 2016, “The Way it Was,” about growing up in rural Texas.
On Sept. 18 Billy celebrates his 100th birthday and while he lives in Dallas with his daughter, the link to his only remaining sibling has been reinforced by those hand-written messages. Due to COVID-19 restrictions there will only be a small family party.
You all remember letters? Words put to paper to share a story or ask a question. In today’s digital era, the written word has been somewhat lost. Billy has kept it alive scratching a few lines on a note pad or filling sheets of legal paper with his memories and his reflections.
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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