NEWS
Local senior residents receiving COVID vaccines
During the week of Jan. 11, Texas will direct most of the COVID-19 vaccine received from the federal government to large providers who can vaccinate a total of more than 100,000 people.
The Department of Health and Human Services also stated additional vaccine will be distributed to smaller providers in other parts of the state.
Within Montague County the only entity to receive any vaccine allocations has been Nocona General Hospital. According to the DSHS, in weeks three and four the hospital was to receive 100 doses each week. Hospital staff and first responders were receiving vaccines after that arrived.
Adhering to the Tier one (health care workers and first responders) and Tier 1B (over age 65 and 18 with high risk conditions) categories that allocation was not expected to cover about 140 employees at NGH, more than 200 volunteer firefighters across the county, some 50 law enforcement officers, along with health care workers in nursing homes and assisted living facilities
The State of Texas has an allotment of vaccine, which is then distributed to 254 counties. Lance Meekins, administrator at NGH, said he is uncertain when they will get the second allotment. Friday the hospital had set up a vaccine day for those in the over 65 high risk category, but within just a few short hours the appointments were filled. They hope to set up additional times as soon as additional vaccines arrive.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
The Saint Jo City Council had a brief meeting on June 17.
The 2026-27 budgets for appraisal and tax collections from the Montague County Tax Appraisal District were approved. The tax collection budget faces a 3.71% increase and 2.2% in the appraisal budget.
The city’s payment for tax collections will go from $1,305 for the year down slightly from $1,445 last year. The appraisal portion for Saint Jo will be $9,526, up from $9,361 in 2026.
A municipal election for Nov. 3 was called. Places open on the ballot will be mayor, and the places filled by Melissa McPherson and Jack Dunn, who was appointed to fill out a term.
The council approved a resolution to apply for grants for water infra structure improvements through the Texas Water Development Board. The city is working with engineers from Corlett, Probst and Boyd of Wichita Falls on a proposed project.
The 60th anniversary Jim Bowie Days Celebration opened on June 20th with a full day of activities focusing on sports and a barbecue cookoff.
Festivities continue throughout the week highlight by rodeo, youth rodeo, kid’s activities and Pioneer Court. The second annual Smokedown BBQ Cookout began on Friday night with the steak and beans contests. Three other categories for chicken ribs and brisket followed on Saturday. There were 27 teams, four more than last year.
Conducted by Outlaw BBQ, the grand champion was Vinny McNamara, with 36 points. Steve Cumbie was reserve grand champion with 26 points.
Read about all the weekend’s winners complete with many photos in your Thursday Bowie News.
Top photo – The first annual pickleball tourney drew 17 teams. Teams greet each other before they start play (Photo by Barbara Green0
A Bowie couple accused of causing serious injuries to a 15-month old boy in January 2025 pled guilty in 97th District Court on June 14 and both received state prison terms.
Jonah Belcher and Cheyenne Eckert, both 24, Bowie, were each charged with injury to a child, a first-degree felony. Belcher received 17 years in prison and Eckert, the child’s mother, received 10 years.
Read the full story in the Thursday Bowie News.
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