NEWS
COVID cases still booming; schools hope the worst may be behind them

By BARBARA GREEN
editor@bowienewsonline.com
The Texas Department of Health Service announced on Jan. 15 it would no longer report the number of COVID-19 cases in the state that are considered recovered or active.
Looking at the new statistics as of Jan. 17 Montague County had 107 new confirmed cases. That reporting change went into effect Jan. 14 along with several other updates to the state’s COVID-19 dashboard, which has been the primary database for county case counts since the pandemic began.
DSHS reported it had revised case totals to account for final numbers from 2020, which the agency reported to the Center for Disease Control. In 2020, the first year of the pandemic in Texas, 1,620,499 were confirmed and 182,983 probable cases were reported.
Montague County Health Authority Dr. Chance Dingler said the local medical community has been pushed to its limits as medical staff members got sick and the clinics were inundated with patients.
County schools also are grappling with the high COVID numbers and routine winter-time illnesses with staff and students.
Read the full story in the mid-week Bowie News.
NEWS
Gov. Abbott announces special session

Signs 1,155 Bills, Vetoes 26 Bills For 89th Regular Legislative Session
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today announced the final list of 1,155 bills signed into law and 26 bills vetoed from the 89th Regular Legislative Session. Governor Abbott’s veto statements may be viewed here and here. The Governor also announced he will call a Special Session to begin on Monday, July 21, along with an initial list of agenda items.
“Working with the Texas Legislature, we delivered results that will benefit Texans for generations to come,” said Governor Abbott. “Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Dustin Burrows, and the Texas House and Senate worked hard to send critical legislation to my desk. This session has seen monumental success, but there is more we can do.”
All seven of Governor Abbott’s emergency items passed the Texas Legislature and were signed into law:
- Property Tax Relief
- Generational Investment in Water
- Raise Teacher Pay
- Expand Career Training
- School Choice
- Bail Reform
- Creation of the Texas Cyber Command
Additionally, Governor Abbott:
- Signed 1,155 bills
- Vetoed 26 bills
- Signed the 2026-2027 General Appropriations Act and the Supplemental Budget
At this time, the Governor has identified several bills that were vetoed or filed without signature that will be placed on the upcoming Special Session agenda for further consideration:
- Senate Bill 3: Relating to the regulation of products derived from hemp, including consumable hemp products and the hemp-derived cannabinoids contained in those products.
- Senate Bill 648: Relating to recording requirements for certain instruments concerning real property.
- Senate Bill 1253: Relating to impact and production fees for certain water projects and to the regulation of certain wells; authorizing a fee.
- Senate Bill 1278: Relating to an affirmative defense to prosecution for victims of trafficking of persons or compelling prostitution.
- Senate Bill 1758: Relating to the operation of a cement kiln and the production of aggregates near a semiconductor wafer manufacturing facility.
- Senate Bill 2878: Relating to the operation and administration of and practices and procedures related to proceedings in the judicial branch of state government.
NEWS
City of Bowie officials close Pillar and Rock intersection due to sinkhole

On Friday city officials reported the intersection at Rock and Pillar was closed due to a sinkhole in the street. This area has been experiencing major drainage problems for many years damaging culverts and the street asphalt and concrete, with a portion of the street collapsing earlier in the spring. Drivers should avoid this area.
NEWS
Lake Amon G. Carter to reopen on June 20
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NEWS3 years ago
2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
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NEWS2 years ago
Suspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
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NEWS2 years ago
SO investigating possible murder/suicide
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NEWS2 years ago
Wreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
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NEWS2 years ago
Murder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
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NEWS2 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
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NEWS2 years ago
Bowie Police face three-hour standoff after possible domestic fight
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NEWS3 years ago
Driver stopped by a man running into the street, robbed at knifepoint