COUNTY LIFE
CASA planning training classes
Childhood experiences, both positive and negative have a tremendous impact on a child’s future. Montague County continues to suffer from a high rate of child abuse and neglect, but its citizens are fighting back by serving as CASA volunteers.
Resilience refers to bouncing back from difficult experiences in life. In childhood, resiliency can come from having one consistent, caring adult in a child’s life.
By becoming a Court-Appointed Special Advocate volunteer, you can become that caring adult. CASA of Red River in Wichita Falls covers CASA in Montague County.
Lorra Lierly, outreach coordinator for Montague County CASA explains volunteers get to know their child and speak up for them in court. CASAs look out for the child’s best interest and can relay the child’s wishes to all the adults who are deciding their future.
By talking to their teacher, attorney, caseworker, parent and judge a CASA can help them navigate this very complicated system they have been thrown into.
“Being “in the system” is very confusing and frightening for children. By having a CASA volunteer whom they can always count on to be with them through it all can be a tremendous comfort,” said Lierly
This is one cause where the actions of a single person can mean the world to another. By just giving approximately one hour each week, you will have the opportunity to make a difference that will last a lifetime.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the class size will be limited to allow for social distancing and the usual informational meetings will not take place.
If you want more information or want to sign up for the training, call Lorra Lierly 940-867-4483. The training will be take place at the Montague County Child Welfare Board House, 506 Hulme Street, Bowie.
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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