COUNTY LIFE
Warming center houses a dozen without power
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
About a dozen people stayed at the Bowie Community Center warming station which was set up Monday morning to provide a place for those without power or heat.
Throughout the week all across Texas families suffered through the cold as electric power went off due to rolling blackouts or storm damage.
The blackouts initiated by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas were reportedly suppose to cycle in 15-20 minute blocks, but many parts of the state lost power for days.
In Montague County there were electrical outages throughout the rural countryside, as well as the rural communities around Sunset. The outages came on nights where weather records were broken as the temperature dropped to below zero ranging from two below to nine below.
Several county churches provided assistance where possible, but when the outages continued into Monday two warming centers were established in Bowie and Saint Jo.
On Monday Mayor Gaylynn Burris and City Manager Bert Cunningham, along with city staff and volunteers began to set up the center to provide a warm refuge.
“The Montague County Emergency Communications team was getting word a lot of residences in the southern part of the county had no electricity and no place to get warm. We opened up the center, but also knew we may be on a rolling blackout list; which did not happen and we maintained power. Those who were helped were very appreciative and the volunteers and community were a great help providing three meals a day,” said Burris.
Saint Jo Independent School District opened its cafeteria as a center, but it was moved Tuesday to the Saint Jo Fire Hall. Fire Chief Scott Thomas said they had one family that stayed one night and they went to a motel the next afternoon.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
Nocona and Saint Jo High Schools will be sending students to the state University Interscholastic League academics meet in Austin next week.
NHS had two students qualify after contests last weekend. Abby Hill, sophomore, placed first in feature writing and fourth in news writing. This was her first year to compete in journalism. Her first place win sends her to state in feature writing where she will compete on May 14.
Isaac Fulumana, junior, placed first in current events, and this also is his first year to compete. He had the highest score across the state on the regional test.
Fulumana placed third in literary criticism and this is his second year to compete at the state level in this category. He will compete on May 15. The school placed 12th overall out of 50 schools at regionals.
The Saint Jo spelling team are the regional champions and will compete at the state UIL contest. Its members include Maxey Johnson, Francesca Voth, Paola Sanchez and Bailie Nobile. Johnson was second place individual.
Other students competing at the Region 3 academic meet were Layla Polk, fifth place in persuasive speaking and Maxey Johnson, fifth in ready writing. Good luck to all of them.
(Pictured top) Saint Jo’s spelling team of Maxey Johnson, Francesca Voth Paola Sanchez and Bailie Nobile. (Right) Nocona’s Abby Hill and Isaac Fulumana.
Young ladies interested in competing for Miss Jim Bowie Days 2024 are invited to attend a mandatory pre-contest meeting at 4 p.m. May 18 at the Bowie Rodeo Arena (highway side).
This annual contest is open to girls ages 14-21 for Miss Jim Bowie and those 13 and under for Little Miss. An application and contestant photo will be due at that time. There is an application fee of $50 and a sponsorship fee of $100 (name of sponsor will be placed on their sash).
The Miss JBD contest will be on June 28 with horsemanship at 8 a.m. at the arena. A brunch will follow and time will be allotted to change clothes.
Contestants also will be required to ride Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in the grand entry and rodeo; Saturday morning parade at 10:30 a.m. and attend every festivity during the festival.
Queen prizes will be a saddle certificate from Teskey’s, a $500 college scholarship, clothing allowance and more. Little Miss prizes include a saddle certificate from Teskey’s, clothing allowance and more.
For application forms or those with questions may call Rilla Brock, 817-228-6914 or Shalee Rater at 254-979-5780.
With a wet April already in full swing and more storms expected in the coming months, the Upper Trinity Groundwater Conservation District staff is here to provide tips and tricks on creating your very own rainwater harvesting system.
Nearby counties received between 24-28 inches of rain last year, and just a fraction caught from roofs and barns can sustain landscaping, livestock, or family homes.
Rainwater harvesting helps alleviate stress on local groundwater systems, preserves streets and roadways, and can even slash your monthly utility bill. View our recommendations below and consider a harvesting system today.
The district recently named the five finalists for the 2024 grant program for rainwater harvesting system.
Read the full story in the weekend Bowie News.
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