NEWS
Governor gives update on winter weather response, continued reliability of power grid
AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott today held a press conference to provide an update on the State of Texas’ ongoing response to severe winter weather conditions. The Governor noted that the Texas power grid continues to be reliable and fully functioning, even at peak demand. Governor Abbott directed Texans to visit TDEM.TEXAS.GOV for a list of winter weather resources from state agency partners. He added that more than two dozen state agencies are continuing to work around the clock to respond to the storm.
“The Texas power grid is more reliable and resilient than it has ever been, and we are continuing to actively respond to the impact of this winter storm,” said Governor Abbott. “Over two dozen of our state agency partners are working collaboratively to ensure that Texans continue to have the resources they need to stay safe. I encourage Texans to visit TDEM.TEXAS.GOV for a full list of resources available to them including warming shelters, information on local power providers, updates on road closures, and more. Most of our communities will continue to experience freezing temperatures over the next few days, so I urge Texans to stay off the roads if they can and continue to heed the guidance of their local officials.”
Governor Abbott stated that Texas will experience freezing temperatures over the next few days, but the power grid has performed well and will continue to perform well. Power demand reached 69,000 MWs this morning, and the State of Texas does not expect demand to exceed that amount for the rest of this weather event. At the time of the press conference, there is still enough extra power to serve over three million additional homes in Texas. The Governor credited the grid’s strength to a variety of proactive strategies including winterization, the availability of alternate fuels, the designation of natural gas facilities as critical infrastructure, and a 15% increase in power generation capacity compared to last year.
The Governor reported that there are currently 20,000 Texans without power due to local power issues such as high winds, ice on power lines, and downed trees and branches. Texans are encouraged to contact their local power provider if they experience an outage.
Jan. 1, 2025 is the first day of a new elected term for many Montague County officials. There will be a swearing-in ceremony at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 1 in the courthouse annex.
The public is invited to attend with refreshments to follow.
Officials being sworn in are: Sheriff Marshall Thomas, County Attorney, Commissioner One Roy Darden, Commissioner Three Mark Murphey, Constables Jerry DeMoss and Harvey Johnson and Tax Assessor Kathy Phillips.
One person was killed in a two-vehicle accident in the early morning hours of Dec. 28 on U.S. 81 (U.S.287) 0.2 miles from Fruitland Road.
Texas of Public Safety officials said the wreck occurred at 5:23 a.m. on Dec. 28 on the highway in front of Camper’s Paradise.
The preliminary investigation showed a 2013 Kia Soul driven by Shelley Gene Jewell, 66, Gainesville, was traveling southbound in the northbound lane of the highway. A second vehicle, a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Jose Noe Vences, 39, Dallas was traveling northbound.
The two vehicles struck head-on. The Soul continued into the center median where it came to rest. The Tahoe rolled onto its top and came to rest across both northbound lanes.
Jewell was pronounced dead at the scene from injuries in the crash. Vences was transported to Medical City Decatur with non-incapacitating injuries. His passenger, Maria Tinico, 42, Dallas, and a six-year-old male minor were not injured, while a passenger, a 12-year-old minor, was transported to Medical City with non-incapacitating injuries. The crash remains under investigation.
By BARBARA GREEN
[email protected]
As with your personal lives, looking back on the year reflects all the emotions from excitement and disappointment to fear and sadness.
Montague County experienced all the norms of Texas weather with drought followed up by flooding, and a few tornadoes also blew across the Cross Timbers. Bowie enjoyed almost a year with an emergency room only to be crushed with its close just a few weeks shy of one year. The lead prosecutor for the tri-county 97th District was indicted on two theft charges, which lead to her resignation and a pending trial.
Nocona High School was elated as its Lady Indians competed at the state tournament, while its barbecue teams competed at state and national contests. Bowie also was ecstatic to see the Nelson/Mill Street project completed after some two years of it being closed.
The Bowie News staff went through all of our editions to note the top news and while we could not include every tidbit, we tried to include things that impacted entire communities.
In your mid-week News find a month by month listing of the top news stories and some of our favorite photos.
Top photo- May 29 tornado in the Forestburg area. (Courtesy photo)
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NEWS2 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
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NEWS1 year agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
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NEWS2 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
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NEWS2 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
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NEWS1 year agoMurder 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 agoBowie Police face three-hour standoff after possible domestic fight
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NEWS2 years ago
Driver stopped by a man running into the street, robbed at knifepoint