NEWS
Virus concerns come from all sides
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
As Montague County’s active cases of Coronavirus continue to rise county officials are being bombarded from both ends of the spectrum with citizens wanting more restrictions and others wanting less.
On Dec. 7 the commissioner’s court appointed Dr. Chance Dingler as the new county health authority replacing Dr. Delbert McCaig who at the time was hospitalized with COVID-19.
Montague County Judge Kevin Benton said Monday his office continues to field phone calls and emails from citizens concerned about the status of the virus and efforts to protect residents. It has been an ongoing battle since the pandemic started in regards to mask mandates and business restrictions.
Initially the governor’s executive orders related to business closures and recommendations to wear masks drew fire from all sides. However, the orders do not provide specific directives, for example, about mask wearing. Some counties and cities have instituted their own regulations, but Montague County has continued to stay with the governor’s orders which have no real enforcement power.
“I am getting questions from both ends of the spectrum,” said Benton on Monday. “I have folks who are angry because people are not wearing a mask and those angry when they are asked to wear one.”
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
NEWS
Commissioners to meet on Dec. 23
Montague County Commissioners will meet at 9 a.m. on Dec. 23.
The court will consider obligating $276,961.84 of American Rescue Plan funds to completing the new wastewater treatment plant that will serve the courthouse complex. Commissioners have been working on this project much of the year.
Montague County will apply to the Nortex Regional Planning Commission for a solid waste disposal grant to purchase a tire cutter for use by all four precincts.
Developers for Kingdom Estates Phase 2 subdivision will offer a plant for lots 6-10, 16.06 acres located in precinct two.
A cooperative agreement between Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the county will be presented, along with a non-exclusive license and service agreement between Local Government Solutions and Justices of the Peace one and two.
Annual bonds for seven elected officials will be offered, along with the county attorney’s 2024 Chapter 59 Asset Forfeiture report.
NEWS
New storm shelter grants available
Montague County has received a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to assist individuals with the purchase and installation of a residential storm shelter.
The shelter must be FEMA-approved and individuals must install and pay for the shelter. After installation and passing an inspection, the individual could be eligible for 50% reimbursement of the cost of the storm shelter up to a maximum $3,000 reimbursement.
The initial program allows for financial assistance for the installation of up to 100 storm shelters. Visit the Montague County website at co.montague.tx.us and click on “Safe Room Program,” and under quick links to see the qualifications and requirements for participation in the program.
There is no deadline to apply, but only 100 applicants will be accepted
COUNTY LIFE
First day of winter arrives
It’s here, the first day of winter marked by the winter solstice at 4:21 a.m. on Dec. 21.
The winter solstice is the day with the fewest hours of sunlight throughout the year, making it the “shortest day” of the year. Thankfully, after the winter solstice the days begin to grow longer and longer again and until the summer solstice, the first day of summer and the longest day of the year
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