NEWS
Mask exemption returns; county fatalities rise by 1
UPDATE- On Oct. 17, County Judge Kevin Benton reported the mask exemption is lifted after state and local health officials reported a large jump in positive cases. Please see related story.
By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
Due to its ongoing low active COVID-19 case count, Montague County has once again qualified for a mask exemption.
Montague County Judge Kevin Benton said Thursday he has filed for the exemption and the county is again on the list of mask-exempt counties in Texas.
In a letter dated Oct. 14, Benton stated: “This does not mean you cannot wear a mask if you deem it judicious to do so. I am sure many of you continue to hear of or know individuals who have contracted COVID-19. Again, each of you should use your common sense when it comes to your health and the health of your family and friends.”
He continues even though the governor’s guidelines state the county qualifies to be mask exempt, “each business and school district still retains the authority to enforce the wearing of face coverings while in their facilities or on their property.”
As of Oct. 16 Montague County’s daily health report shows 241 total cases with 225 confirmed through testing and 16 probable. Active cases were at 27 with 25 confirmed and two probable. The fatalities also increased by one Wednesday as a 60-year-old Nocona woman reportedly died from the virus.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
NEWS
Bowie Council meets June 23
The Bowie City Council will meet at 6 p.m. on June 23.
The agenda includes both old and new business items.
City Manager Bert Cunningham will make his report on the 2026-27 budget process, bid opening for the Glenn Hills lift station on July 16 and the bid for Rock and Pillar repairs.
In new business a pair of planning and zoning committee recommendations for replats at 107 E. Nelson and 412 Green will be reviewed. An ordinance adopting an office of emergency management amending a present ordinance will be offered.
Old business will see the second reading of the pickleball court reservation fee ordinance and the ordinance prohibiting drilling and mining or the reopening of an abandoned well or mine in any public park in the city limits.
NEWS
City of Bowie reports heat advisory today
A HEAT ADVISORY will be in effect from noon until 9 p.m. today (Thursday). Please plan accordingly.
Hear Audio Alert:https://hrpow.us/oeFZANN
NEWS
Sheriff confirms human remains found in Sunset area
Montague County Sheriff Marshall Thomas has confirmed human skeletal remains were recovered on June 13 in the Sunset area, and they could possibly be those of a flight attendant believed to have been murdered almost a year ago in the Fort Worth.
The murder suspect, Dennis William Day, 66, admitted in June 2025 to strangling Rana Soluri, 47, an Envoy flight attendant who lived with Day during that last year. She was reported missing by a co-worker on June 11 and had not been seen or heard from since March 2025.
Day initially denied any involvement, but later admitted to the murder and indicated he dumped her body somewhere in the Montague County area. Lawmen have scoured the areas in questions in both Montague and Wise County, but found nothing.
Sheriff Thomas said on June 13 the SO received a call of possible skeletal remains in the Brushy Creek area north of Poss Dyer Lane on Farm-to-Market 1749. A deputy went to the scene and confirmed it was human remains.
Investigators responded and kept the scene secure overnight until staff from the University of North Texas Forensic Anthropology Center could arrive and made the recovery on June 14. A Texas Ranger and staff from the Fort Worth Police Department also were on scene.
“There is no determination made yet on how long it has been there,” said Thomas. “The anthropologist was pleased to recover most of the skeleton in these conditions. Heavy rains previously made the past searches difficult. We are working jointly with Fort Worth to make an identification and if it is the victim in their homicide.”
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