COUNTY LIFE
Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday
Daylight Saving Time – You either love it hate it.
No matter it comes on March 13 as we spring forward one hour. Despite more than 50 years of nearly uniform observance since 1966, 29 states have introduced legislation between 2015 and 2019 to abolish the twice-yearly changing of the clocks. At the end of 2021 a total of 33 states have proposed bills to stop switching time.
Some states want Daylight Saving Time all year, want it eliminated all together, while others have different stipulations; however, the authority to change lies with the Department of Transportation, a power it has held since its foundation in 1966.
DST was first introduced in England, but it came to America in spring 1917 after President Woodrow Wilson declared war. Suddenly energy conservation was of major importance and many efforts were launched to enlist public support for changing the clocks. The National Daylight Saving Convention group distributed postcards showing Uncle Sam holding a garden hoe and rifle, turning back the hands of a huge pocket watch. Voters were asked to sign and mail their congressman postcards declaring, “If I have more daylight, I can work longer for my country. We need every hour of light.”
Congress declared the time change on March 31, 1918.
Many have wrongly pointed to farmers as the driving for DST, but they were in fact some of the strongest opponents and resisted it from the beginning. After the war opposition arose and the time change lasted only until 1920 when the law was repealed.
The subject did not come up again until after the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 and America was once more at war. After the war it was used on and off in different states. To remedy the confusion Congress passed the Uniform Time Act in 1966, establishing consistent use of Daylight Saving Time within the U.S. In 1986 the DST was expanded with a goal to conserve oil used to generate electricity. The current policy was established with the Energy Policy Act of 2005 that went into effect in 2007.
Take time to remember all those who gave all for our freedoms in America. The Bowie News staff wishes you a safe and happy holiday day weekend this Memorial Day. The News office will be closed on Monday for the holiday.
AUSTIN – With Memorial Day weekend marking the unofficial start to summer boating season, Texas Game Wardens are preparing for one of the busiest boating weekends of the year and reminding Texans and visitors alike to put safety first before heading out on the water.
In 2025, Texas recorded 178 reportable boating incidents that resulted in 50 fatalities and 77 serious injuries. Eighty-four percent of those who died in boating incidents were not wearing a life jacket. Texas Game Wardens also made 223 Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) arrests last year.
“Memorial Day weekend is when many families get back on the water for the first time this year,” said Col. Ron VanderRoest, director of Law Enforcement for the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. “Before you leave the dock, take a few minutes to make sure your life jackets are on board, your boat is properly equipped and you have designated a sober operator.”
Texas Game Wardens encourage boaters to keep the following in mind before launching:
- Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Children younger than 13 are required to wear one while underway.
- Never operate a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- The operator must wear the lanyard or have the engine cut-off switch fob on their person when operating a boat equipped with one.
- Operate at a safe speed and maintain a proper lookout.
- Take a boater education course. It is required for anyone born on or after Sept. 1, 1993.
- Check the weather before heading out and be prepared for changing conditions.
- Leave a float plan with someone you trust.
- Don’t overload your boat.
“Boating should be fun,” said VanderRoest. “A little planning and some common sense help keep it that way.”
Renting a Boat or Personal Watercraft
If you plan to rent a boat or personal watercraft, choose a licensed vessel livery (a business establishment engaged in renting or hiring out vessels for profit).
By law, vessel liveries must provide all required safety equipment, explain how to operate the vessel, review applicable boating laws and have the operator sign a form acknowledging they received this information. They are also required to carry liability insurance.
Before leaving the dock, renters should make sure the vessel has enough life jackets for everyone on board and that they understand basic operating rules, including those specific to personal watercraft.
Personal Watercraft Safety
Personal watercraft, including jet skis, are subject to special laws in Texas. Operators and passengers must always wear a life jacket, the operator must use the engine cut-off switch, and these vessels may not be operated between sunset and sunrise. Operators must also stay at least 50 feet from other vessels, people and the shore unless traveling at headway speed.
“Whether you’re launching your own boat or renting one for the day, take the time to understand the rules and make safety part of your plan,” said VanderRoest. “If you take safety seriously from the start, you’re far less likely to need help later.”
For more information about boating laws, required equipment and boater education courses, visit the TPWD Boater Education Program at tpwd.texas.gov/boatereducation.
Starting at noon on May 25 at The V (VFW) in Nocona there will be a program for the Memorial Day featuring speakers, cannons and a rifle team.
There will be a Memorial Day Celebration Dinner at 5 p.m. on May 25 at the Nocona Senior Citizens Center (Carpenter Shop).
Call for reservations at 940-825-3148. The meal will include barbecue ribs, french fries, beans, cole slaw, dessert and ice team. Adults are $10 and children $5.
Proceeds benefit the senior center and the Meals on Wheels program at Nocona.
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