NEWS
Free COVID-19 testing now offered in Montague Co.
In an effort to help stem the growing tide of COVID-19 cases in Montague County, a free testing program will be operating three days a week in the county through December.
Montague County Judge Kevin Benton said this program is being offered through the Texas Department of Emergency Management, with the testing site set up in the parking lot at Nocona General Hospital.
Cheek swab testing will take place from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays starting Nov. 17. Benton said it will continue through December. A person does not have to have symptoms to be tested.
“They said it will take 48-96 hours to get the results back, but the goal is more testing and if a person tests positive they can stay home for quarantine and help stop the spread. Symptoms are not required,” explained Benton.
Register and get scheduled by going to gogettested.com. The caller will be asked for identifying information and to answer some general health questions, including possible exposure to the virus. When you scroll down the list of locations select Nocona General Hospital, afterwhich you can choose a test date and time slot. A confirmation text complete with QR is sent to your phone which will be used at the drive-through location.
No eating or drinking 15 minutes prior to getting tested. Positive results receive a medical consultation from a provider.


NEWS
Amon Carter Lake Board to meet
Members of the Amon Carter Lake Water Supply Corporation will meet at 6 p.m. on May 26 in the office at 607A Lindsey for a monthly meeting.
Items on the agenda include a consent agenda and minutes and financials. Possible discussion/action may be considered on the following topics: Treasurer’s report, review of finance and current loans; president’s report as to the written agreements with contractual employees; consider current water rates and a possible increase; and review of expenses and areas that need amendment.
An executive session may be entered to discuss personnel issues.
NEWS
Saint Jo City Council hires fire marshal
The City of Saint Jo has a new fire marshal as the city council made the appointment during its May 13 meeting.
Gary Hines, a retired professional firefighter and certified fire investigator, will take the position. City Secretary Debbie Dennis said the post is required by ordinance but has not been filled for a long period.
The council set dates for a budget workshop for 2 p.m. on June 14 and 2 p.m. on June 28 for the ordinance workshop, as the council works to update its rules.
Aldermen gave their support to a proposition by Councilman Jack Dunn who is asking the Legislature to allow Texas’ smallest cities, those with 2,500 or few in population, to receive an additional share of sales and use tax. He would like to see the funds used in these communities to repair and replace aging infrastructure without new taxes or reliance on state grants.
In letter to State Rep. David Spiller, whom Dunn will meet with on June 1, the alderman explains much of the state’s 6.25% share generated locally flows into general funds and is spent on other priorities. He would like Spiller to author this legislation. Dunn gave the letter to the council along with a powerpoint on the plan.
“A single water treatment plant upgrade or sewer rehab carries massive, fixed costs that do not shrink with population size. These communities, often with only a few hundred or a couple thousands residents, simply cannot spread those costs across enough ratepayers or a broad tax based,” the letter states.
Dunn suggests a “graduated sales tax retention policy:” 1% additional share for cities with 2,500 or fewer residents; .75% for those 2,500 and 5,000; and .50% for cities between 5,001 and 10,000. It would be dedicated to infrastructure. Dunn says the overall statewide fiscal impact would be negligible, but could help sustain small, rural cities.
NEWS
City of Nocona buys water storage tank, review dam repair
The Nocona City Council approved a bid for a new 203,000 gallon capacity tank for potable water at the water plant and learned a slide repair to the lake dam is going to be pretty costly.
At its May 12 session the council received three bids on the tank and went with one from Tank Depot of Cleburne for $193,923. It is for a a 217,600 gallon tank usable for 203,000 gallons. The price could change slightly since it was based on estimate freight costs.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
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